Elio Motors have been enjoying strong success in the media lately, as it seems that everyone is excited to see their debut on the market. However, the company has faced several specific issues during their work, some of which they have already been able to deal with. Initially, there were reports of financial problems behind the scenes, but those were quickly resolved after the company was able to secure a loan to cover all of their planned expenses. And now, they are reportedly underway to resolving the other major outstanding issue regarding the release of their first vehicle – its peculiar position on the vehicle market.
The problem stems from the fact that the vehicle Elio have planned is a combination between a car and a motorcycle, and it has been disputed which category it falls in exactly. This might not seem like a major issue at a glance, but it should be considered that cars and motorcycles have very different licensing regulations and this can create problems for drivers who want to get inside the cheap three-wheeled vehicle.
Officially, the vehicle is classified as a motorcycle, as any vehicle with three wheels falls into that category with the way the law currently works. The problem with this is that motorcycle laws require riders to wear a helmet at all times, something which clashes with the enclosed design of Elio’s vehicle. The company is currently in talks with New Mexico State Representative Trujillo, discussing possible changes to the law that could remove the helmet requirement.
According to Elio’s representatives, this has been a needed change in legislation in general, and it would not only pave the way for a successful release for the company, but will have a positive market on this segment of the vehicle market as well.
Critics who have been keeping their eyes on the progress of Elio’s work have been hopeful that the negotiations will be successful and the company will get the changes it needs in the market environment. Because, with the sub-$7,000 price tag that the vehicle will be offered at, as well as its economic gas mileage, it will be a fantastic entry into the market, and a fresh change from the common trend of releasing bigger, more powerful and gas-hungry cars that we’ve seen lately. As long as Elio are able to resolve the classification issues surrounding the model, and approach its marketing successfully once it nears its release date, this will be a release that will be talked about for a long time, and in a strongly positive way. Commentators have been confident that it can actually set new trends in the market.