Official Update Comments

[Derwin]

Hello. Here's where you can comment about anything that has been posted in the update thread. Hopefully I'll be having something to post in the update thread soon!

Thanks.

Derwin

[jzrawlins]

Does this imply there is news coming Derwin?

Thanks for keeping this site up and keeping us informed!

[Derwin]

No. I'm just being the eternal optimist in regards to this! I have no news, or even any hint of news coming in the foreseeable future about Persu, but I thought I would prepare the news thread anyway, just to make it easier for people.

I will be contacting Howard Levine (at Persu) after the holidays to find out what's going on. If I get a good answer, I'll report it here. If I get an answer that sounds like this is a dead project, then we'll be moving this club in a new direction.

[rickspur]

Well I hope you get some good news. This long time waiting and waiting with no news gets depressing.

[MikeB]

Ok, so Derwin talked to Phil Oseas, and Phil basically said 'no comment from me, ask our lawyer'. Oddly, I think this is a good sign. When companies are in the middle of financial negotiations, they usually impose a blackout policy, meaning they can't talk about it except through very limited channels. If the company was really just dead, I'd think Phil would have been free to say something more candid, like 'sorry, it's over'. So my best guess is that they are still stalled, but are at least negotiating with someone.

[Firedawg]

Very interesting thoughts. I would "Venture" to say that you are on to something. Keep the faith all.

[Mike kZ]

We can hope!

[bmwgc1946]

Or you could be a pesimist and Phil O was avoiding potential creditors and pleading the fifth amendment. LOL
Realy I also can only hope. Derwin get us ANYTHING.

[Firedawg]

Hey as far as I am concerned that response is a positive one. If Howard had said that nothing has changed and all is good, i would look at that with more speculation than this reply. It shows that current times have made it hard on the company but that they are adapting and looking for a viable way to progress forward. It still sounds like they are in a tight spot. Again, like others have said before, I actually like the language that Howard uses in that reply. It makes it sound like he is itching to tell us more but can't due to their current dealings.

[Donald1800]

The only way that I can see how a lower cost with lower volume version can be produced is by using existing suspension components and drive train manufactured by other companies and placed in a jigged tubing chassis with a bolt-on body. If they do this, it may sell better than they think - especially if it is an ICE-only geared for a touring speed of 75 mph and 75+ mpg.

Donald1800

[Ronzo]

If Persu can meet their goal by producing an enclosed tilter with HVAC at anything above 50MPG+and can do highway speeds plus not cost an arm and a leg... They will have proof of concept because they will sell as many as they can produce. Motorcycle producers beware!

[Donald1800]

You all know about the new compact Toyota Hybrid that will reportedly get 80+ mpg?

Donald1800

[Ronzo]

Yes, I also am taking into consideration that the Toyota doesn’t tilt and the battery claimed MPG technology still has a ways to go hence the gal (and Others) suing Toyota (for $100k in small claims court) for loss of mileage as the batteries age (never quite delivered the average 50 miles per gallon promised on fuel-economy stickers in 2006 and since then.) . Plus the Toyota will be in theory a lot more money. Car does not equal fun of enclosed tilter... My family already has a Car that gives me 43+ MPG and several Motorcycles that give us 45-50+ MPG.. And we would still buy several V1's if they met the criteria above (below in quotes.)
I can also speak for a bunch of people I know who feel the same way... "If Persu can meet their goal by producing an enclosed tilter with HVAC at anything above 50MPG+and can do highway speeds plus not cost an arm and a leg... They will have proof of concept because they will sell as many as they can produce. Motorcycle producers beware! "

[wireman]

Howard; "Are ye listenin' to the folk here at FTRC mon'? Ronzo & Donald have it exactly right! You might have to go on a break-even basis with the first two hundred units to bring them into affordable range, doing as they (and I) suggest (and we suspect from your response to Derwin you ARE trying something) to get POC on the road. You are no doubt aware, just from FTRC'ers that there are WELL OVER that number of sales in almost every major marketing area countrywide. Once those units are displayed on the road, or at gas stations where they WILL be talked about, the young and upwardly mobile (and a few of the older but still cool, like me) would probably beat a path to the nearest showroom. I saw this happen with two Stallion three-wheelers here in Dallas. A white one was gassing, and drawing a crowd. The driver mentioned that he worked at a body shop which had that one and another for sale. I went to the shop later and saw the other (a brilliant candy bronze) and was told both would go, lightly used, for around $25k. They were both sold within two days! And that was just for an open three-wheeler! A fully enclosed, A/C equipped commuter like Persu would easily beat that, you bet your hat!

[Ronzo]

Yea, What he said ^ fir:st:pl:ace))1

In my family alone we would get 3 and that doesn't even take into account our friends that we have told about this (25 more there). And all the people that have been lurking and waiting!!! And did I mention - Jay Leno and Nathan Fillion.... they would buy one!

[Derwin]

I already told Howard to reserve one of the first vehicles off the line for me!

He did tell me earlier that they would fly me in to test drive it. Hopefully I can just drive it all the way back here to Chicagoland! lol

[bmwgc1946]

With HVAC enclosed this would sell even in the Northeast or snow bound sections of the country. Leave room for snow tires and I will go out there. Yeah I'm a little nuts but a very cautious driver. Howard do it!!! It will sell. Please before I Die.

[MikeB]

I can't quite figure out the 'lower volume, lower cost' plan. Essentially, you always end up more expensive when you do lower volumes. The most likely way to make this work is to strip out features, to deliver lower quality as well. But frankly, there's not a whole lot of optional stuff in the current design.

Heat/AC would seem like the first feature they'd drop in order to save cost, but I'd think that might make the vehicle undrivable in hotter climates in the summer, given the greenhouse effect from the large windows. They could put in a smaller engine and sacrifice performance, but what's the point of spectacular aerodynamics if you don't have the speed to cruise on the interstate highway?

If I were Howard, I'd actually offer a higher cost, low volume choice. I'm sure there's a few people who'd spend $35k+ for a 'first release' vehicle, instead of $25k for a mass produced one. As several people have mentioned, just get a few hundred driving around some big cities, and the product will sell itself.

[MikeB]

Hopefully I can just drive it all the way back here to Chicagoland! lol
That won't happen. There will be at least a dozen ambushes set up on the road back, by other club members, who want to take the prototype to their home instead of letting you get it back to Chicago. :)

[Mike kZ]

That won't happen. There will be at least a dozen ambushes set up on the road back, by other club members, who want to take the prototype to their home instead of letting you get it back to Chicago. :)


agr:1 I think everyone on this site should get first dibbs!!

[wireman]

Yo, MikeB! The reason we are suggesting a low cost model is because of the experience with our old favorite, Carver. Going low/high in the volume/price equation didn't work for them. Lots of interest, but too high priced to be more than a RMT (Rich Man's Toy). I re-iterate, Persu will probably have to risk some loss at first, or maybe break even with the sales of the first production financing the second, and so on, until X production would garner profits. Enough then, perhaps, to really go all out on a version with all the bells and whistles. As you said, the only thing you GOTTA have is Heat/AC for the hot and cold places. Don't do digital anything! Put no high end radio in it, except as an option! Lots of ways to lower the cost per unit without compromising body/ mechanical quality.

[bbhunter2]

Well, if they want to hand build some now to get started before they obtain the funds for factory building, I would buy one even if the cost is around 50K. Heck maybe even two. As all of us, we have been waiting a long time and I am at the age of enjoyment and not waiting hy:per1)

[Firedawg]

Look I am currently living in the DC area and I commute to the Pentagon almost daily. If Persu wants some "high vis" advertizing, I would be happy to drive one of the first models every day of the year. I would be willing to make that "sacrifice" for the good of the company ;)

[Ronzo]

Heck... put some wrap graphics on it to be mobile AD's ... Heck I wouldn't care as long as I got one!