Trade Resources Industry Knowledge US Automotive Start-up Elio Motors Will Build Its Quirky

US Automotive Start-up Elio Motors Will Build Its Quirky

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Elio Motors to Build Efficient Three-Wheeler in Old Hummer Plant

US automotive start-up Elio Motors will build its quirky, fuel-efficient, three-wheel car from 2014 in a plant that was once home to the hulking Hummer H3 SUV.

RACER (Revitalising Auto Communities Environmental Response) – the trust responsible for selling and ‘greening up’ old General Motors properties – agreed to sell the 167,000-square-metre Shreveport, Louisiana plant to Elio, which is set to begin production of its $US6800 ($6500) two-seater in about 18 months’ time.

The Detroit Free Press reports Elio Motors intends to hire 1500 new workers at the plant to make the as yet unnamed three-wheeler, which features a conventional petrol engine, uses less than 3.9 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle and has a theoretical driving range of 1081km.

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Elio says preliminary tests on computer models predict the three-wheeler will achieve a five-star safety rating thanks to its reinforced roll cage frame, large crush zones, three airbags and anti-lock brakes.

Elio Motors’ CEO Paul Elio said the company was enthusiastic about starting work in Louisiana.

“There were three driving factors in the purchase of the plant: the business-friendly economic environment, the quality of the local experienced workforce, and our unwavering commitment to build Elio vehicles in America with American workers,” Elio said.

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General Motors relinquished the plant in 2009 as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructure and leased it back from the trust until ceasing production there in 2012.

Source: http://www.caradvice.com.au/206893/elio-motors-to-build-efficient-three-wheeler-in-old-hummer-h3-plant/
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Elio Motors to Build Efficient Three-Wheeler in Old Hummer Plant