May 19 Update By Ian

[Derwin]

IanBruce (http://www.flytheroad.com/)
Administrator (http://flytheroad.com/blog/forums/profile.php?id=128)


Hi guys,
Sorry for the radio silence. A lot has been happening -- and it just gets pretty overwhelming at times -- but that's no excuse for not keeping you up to date... Things have been going very well indeed, and we should have some exciting surprises for you come July.
We're working on a major update now, and I promise to have it posted in the next day or so.

In the meantime, we were in the Sacramento Bee just yesterday:
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/947179.html (http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/947179.html)

Popular Mechanics a week ago...
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4261425.html?page=5 (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4261425.html?page=5)

... and News.com
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9923092-54.html (http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9923092-54.html)

... and Fortune the week before
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.great_green_ideas.fortune/11.html (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.great_green_ideas.fortune/11.html)

Cheers,
-- Ian

[RAN]

Ian can get all the articles he wants. It doesn't put him (or us) one step closer to having a V-1 to drive.

Once again, we have a "things are going great, Big News coming soon, can't tell you anything now" "update."

IMHO, it does little good to get press now for a product that won't be out for 2 years. If Americans have proven anything, it's that they have short memories. First, get those 12 running prototypes, put them through their paces, make arrangements to start production, then start a media blitz.

[Baja_Traveler]

Boy - pretty pessimistic for a "founding member", but agreed - since he was writing anyway, why not just give a little info on what we can expect to see in more detail later? Guess we'll have to wait and see...

[CelticFlyer]

Heretofore, all FTRC members will forever be known for having the patience of the saints. :LOL:

I agree with what RAN said, and I believe that for even hard-core believers, the wait for progress can seem unbearable and disheartening. That's why I can't wait to get a car. Any car! I'm going to get myself a VW Rabbit and then trade out for the V1 when it hits the streets. That doesn't mean I've had a change of heart; it just means I've got to take care of my transportation needs in the meanwhile.

In the end, we'll be considered the core enthusiasts that kept the dream alive. ;)

[MHARVEYM]

When spending $20K + on a 2 seater, I think the wait is well worth getting it right when it hits the streets. Less time back in the shop.....and from Oshkosh WI to La is a long
truck ride back! Ian, take all the time you need.... gas has not hit $8(YET). Harv

[Miracleman89]

I hope my MR2 will still be worth something when V1 hits the market!

I have been following Venture Vehicles even before they had a website!(November 2006) It has been a long haul already and every update seems to make it longer. Early 2008 was the original release date if I recall and now I am looking at 2010! OMG I can't stand it! If there is anything I can do to speed the process up let me know!!!!!!!! This is just so frustrating!! I feel everyone's pain on this but, I know that when it does hit the sales floor they will still be spectacular and I will still be in the front of the line!

[cpaddock]

The phrase "Things have been going very well indeed," is enough to rekindle my confidence and enthusiasm. "The tilting is kind of fun."???? That will turn out to be the understatement of the year! So, a surprise in July, huh? 7/01 or 7/31? Good thing we all have actual lives! :)
Alooooha!

[Baja_Traveler]

I'm hoping the "Surprise" is big manufacturing partners in the works, and V1's hitting the streets late this, or early next year... But either way - I'm positive that nobody is dragging their feet to get this to market. I'm quite sure that Ian aspires to be the next Lee Iacocca or Carol Shelby (or at least have the wallets of)

- (but I hope not John DeLorean:o).

[WarpedOne]

>> but I hope not John DeLorean

Those who succeeded are subset of those who tried.
Those who have not tried are disjunct to those who succeeded.

[Mark Tomlinson]

I got to tell you, I was not surprised by the "late 2009" and 2010 estimates. PHEVadvocate might agree. I've been following EV start-ups for a few years now, and it's not easy bringing a new vehicle to market. Not only are there technical issues (witness Tesla's transmission issues), but state and federal regulations, insurance hurdles, distribution hurdles, supply chain issues, and so on. Everything takes longer than planed when you've never done it before.

As far as the suggestion to repackage the Carver - might have been easier but they only have a license for the tilting mechanism. If Carver wanted a Carver on the US roads, they'd have done it themselves by now. Instead it's a little talk and no action. I think they see themselves as an engineering shop and would not have approved of someone else mass producing their vehicle.

What irks me is that we learn about the slippage through the media links and not from Venture directly. Come on, VV, we're your number one fans and a lot of us are ready to plunk down a cash deposit. The least they could do is start a newsletter.

[rogwild]

Mark, VV already has a BLOG and FORUM, and they can't even keep that managed.:cry:

What makes you think that they can edit and publish a Newsletter?=n:

I too believed, and have said (many times) that their 'schedule' was unrealistic and overly optimistic. I just wish that they would not make 'promises' that they 'break' or cannot keep. Still waiting to see the most current version of the "D" concept that Ian said 5-6 weeks ago, that we would see "soon". I guess we will see about Ian's new BIG UPDATE, "in a day or SO".:LOL:

[CelticFlyer]

I guess we will see about Ian's new BIG UPDATE, "in a day or SO".:LOL:

Maybe Ian's just got a different sense of time than the rest of us. A year is a month, a month is a week, a week is a day, an hour is... :confused:

I'm sure he'd love to bring this thing to market sooner than later; it's bound to make him a multi-millionaire!

[rogwild]

I'm sure he'd love to bring this thing to market sooner than later; it's bound to make him a multi-millionaire!:eek:

And the SOONER the RICHER! =y: There seems to be a flood of new vehicles, most 'projecting' to hit about 2010, that want a share of that 'Green Pie'. :RADAR: It will be interesting to see how some of the earlier entrants, TRIAC (July '08), Corbin RAVEN, APTERA fare in this market.

As the HIGHLANDER said; "I can buy only one!":LOL:

[luckylindy]

I agree this wait is very difficult. I don't think a day goes by that I don't have thoughts about the V1.

In the meantime we can all save fuel and reduce emissions with something I found that really works and will save you money.
It's called Ethos Fuel Reformulator

I use it and gained 3+ mpg A friend this past weekend drove a 270 mile trip in a Toyota SUV and used 16.9 gallons of gas.... on the return trip we added the Ethos and he used only 12.7 gallons !! His mileage increase was from 16 mpg to 21.4 mpg !! That increase was quite dramatic but it averages a 7% to 19% mileage increase. The product actually has a 10+ year track record but was only available to fleets in 55 gallon drums.
Now we (the general public) can get it in pints, quarts and gallons.
Check it out at www.save50centspergallon.com (http://www.save50centspergallon.com)

[rogwild]

Sounds like another 'shameless commercial plug', if this is from Donald Lindell. It seems one 'warning' was not enough, perhaps time for a 'Moderators Meeting', (it seems like my moderator's powers disappeared again.

[Derwin]

Sounds like another 'shameless commercial plug', if this is from Donald Lindell. It seems one 'warning' was not enough,

I agree.

LuckyLindy, Last time that you posted this same "ad", I politely asked you to NOT do this. I then informed you of our FREE ad section in the club where you can post this information for all to see.

If you want to advertise your product, please do so in the appropriate "advertising" section, and DON'T post this again to any of the regular forum threads.

I look forward to your continuing participation in the club. But we need everybody to abide by the rules so we can all enjoy this thing.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Thanks.

Derwin

[rogwild]

Well Ian posted; "I promise to have it posted in the next day or so." (19 May, 07:37)=y:

So I guess we are past the 'next day' and into the "or so".:cry:

[waboom]

So I followed the link to news.com, and followed a link in the story to another one on Zero Motorcycle (http://www.news.com/A-motorcycle-thats-fast%2C-silent-and-green/2100-11389_3-6199962.html). Nice article on an electric off-road motorcycle, but this caught my eye:

Getting a bike certified for street riding is somewhat simple, Danielson added. For Zero to convert a motocross bike into a street machine only requires a few modifications, such as adding turn signals and lights. Safety certification and testing takes about 9 to 12 months and costs about $100,000, he said.

If this is indeed the case, what does Venture Vehicles need for certification? Can they do it with an Alpha unit or do they need a Beta to certify?

Another thing to add to the calendar between now and first shipment....

[timwstephens]

I guess our disappointment with the production dates are just proof of how excited we are about this vehicle. I share everybody's grief. If the first release of vehicles is in 2010 that doesn't mean I will be able to get one then. I don't think 5000 units will go too far. I hope Venture makes some purchasing protocols so that we won't see individuals or dealers getting one (or more) and then posting it on EBAY for double the retail cost (like I've seen on the first VRODS, Chevy SRS, Vipers, etc). Hey, if it was easy - anybody could do it and I'm sure Ian & Howard are sleeping a lot less over the production aspects than we are. Let's hang in there! - Tim