The Weekly Driver Newsletter, Volume 1, #1

PUBLISHER’S STARTING LINE

Since TheWeeklyDriver.com debuted in 2004, the repeated delays and controversy surrounding the three-wheel Elio vehicle has attracted more interest than any other topic.

The innovative Tesla has changed the auto industry. Test drives and reviews of a Bentley sedan and SUV were special experiences. Driving a Rolls-Royce for a day in the Arizona desert was a rare treat. And through 13 years of publishing, many others vehicles, entry level to luxury, have been intriguing.

But the reaction to the Elio, a vehicle that doesn’t exist, tops all.

Here’s the deal: Paul Elio announced his intentions in 2014 to unveil a $6,800 three-wheel vehicle in 2015 that would change the auto industry. It was touted with superior gas mileage, as much as 84 mpg, a top speed of 100 miles per hour, and a healthy chunk of other innovation.

The Elio website began to take reservations in different monetary levels. The more a pending owner deposited, the more elaborate the promise. The company’s website currently lists more than 65,000 reservations.

The company has built prototypes and displayed them at auto shows and auctions around the country. Elio promised 1,500 jobs in a new Louisiana manufacturing plant, and it announced business relationships with automotive accessory companies. The jobs have never materialized, and the working component of the business relationships haven’t come to fruition.

One pending Elio owner had enough. He sued Elio to get his deposit returned. The status of the case hasn’t been reported.

Elio has also raised the base price of its non-existent vehicle $500. The company has delayed the projected debut date several times. Most recently, the company has announced huge financial difficulties. As a result, Elio has been quiet in recent weeks.

TheWeeklyDriver.com has written often about Elio, including a post that includes links to all of our posts on the controversial three-wheeler.

Here’s the article: Elio Plans, Promises But Has No Cars

NEW CAR REVIEWS

• 2017 Honda CR-V: Top-selling SUV still reigns

• 2017 Volkswagen Passat: Versatile like a blue blazer

• 2017 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: Stylishly efficient

• 2017 Lincoln MKZ: A worthy underdog luxury sedan

• 2017 Genesis G90: A luxury sedan star is born

PUBLISHER’S PITCH

TheWeeklyDriver.com has been published free since 2004. With the debut of this newsletter, we’re asking readers to financially support our continued efforts. Even a pledge of $5 a year is appreciated. Please make a contribution via Paypal here: VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION.

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

• If Elio fails, Canadian EV start-up will honor deposits

• BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz: Good riddance, Bill O’Reilly

• Enduring Dream Machines show supports adult health center

• Lyft offers one-day bonus to drivers, debuts sweet film

• Robert DeNiro, Hugh Jackman set for new Ferrari feature films

MANUFACTURERS’ SPOTLIGHT

• Honda: 2004 to present, Civic to Ridgeline

• Toyota: 2005 to present: Civic to Prius

• Ford: 2005 to present: Fiesta to F-150

• Volkswagen: 2005 to present: Jetta to Phaeton

• Chevrolet: 2005 to present: Malibu to Silverado

NEW CAR VIDEOS

Visit The Weekly Driver’s video section on YouTube.com via the individual links below:

• Bugatti Pedal Car (Type 51)

• 2016 Lincoln MKX

• 2017 Spira electric foam car

WACKY WORLD OF CARS

• Never mind Tesla, Prius, Elio. Buy The Flatula Backfire

• A golf ball on wheels and other new auto innovations

• Five great cars in five great movies

• For Sale: 340 cars, 5 acres in Brtish Columbia for $1 million

THE WEEKLY DRIVER’S FINAL WORDS

For the past 10 years, TheWeeklyDriver.com has selected vehicles of the year. We usually review 35-45 vehicles per year. Here’s the link to 2016 list announced last December. It includes links to the selections from the previous nine years. The Honda Accord has been represented six times, more than any other vehicle.

• The Weekly Driver’s 2016 Cars of the Year

The Weekly Driver e-newsletter is published weekly by James Raia, editor and publisher of theweeklydriver.com. Online since 2004, the website features new car reviews, automotive news and videos. We hope you enjoy the content and tell your friends, family and colleagues to sign-up on our website. Comments are welcomed. Advertising is accepted.

Cheers, James Raia
E-mail: [email protected]
Websites: theweeklydriver.com, jamesraia.com.