June 8th , 2008 update from Ian

[Mike kZ]

Hi people,

Sorry for the delay (where have we heard that before?) -- but it's been a very busy several weeks. Our current efforts have been centered around discussions with our manufacturing partners for both vehicle and powertrain systems. The meteoric increase in gas prices caught pretty much everyone unawares, and besides creating opportunities, it has changed some of our relationships in unanticipated ways. It's important to understand that the business case we're executing is <i>at least</i> as important as the vehicle we're creating.

We're also getting a lot more attention now, and pernonally, I'd prefer to avoid getting caught up in the hype. While the attention is flattering, we're all about creating a vehicle here -- not vaporware.

The Alpha vehicle I mentioned in our last update is about 60 days away from completion. The newly designed ABS exterior and all-electric propulsion system are coming together nicely, and will be mated together in less than 2 months. I'll have pictures of the work in progress in our next posting, along with the refined interior design.

We're also posting a new FAQ's thread. This is a living document, so if there's anything you think is important to add, please let us know.

We're still evaluating names for the vehicle. As you might guess, this is far from a trivial exercise. I know we've asked before, but please have another go at it. I'll be setting up a separate thread for your responses, so please don't post them here. You can also help us out further by checking to see that the name is not already in use by another company -- particularly an automotive company.

Finally, I think you'll be happy to know that after much internal discussion, we're considering creating a Venture Advisory Board made up of a select group of members on this forum, once the Alpha vehicle is completed. Our plan is to schedule regular conference calls with members of our team, along with a several representatives of the FlyTheRoad forum. We're working out the details now, and will be contacting potential members over the course of the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

Thank you once again for all of your continued help and your support. As I've said before, you're the real reason we started this company.

Cheers,
-- Ian

[CelticFlyer]

That's interesting. I know a few guys were really getting antsy over on the official site (myself included), but I knew it was just a matter of time before Ian came up for air.

Anyone here think they'll be tapped to be a forum rep over at the FTR site? Would you want to be, is the question.

[MikeB]

Anyone here think they'll be tapped to be a forum rep over at the FTR site? Would you want to be, is the question.

I'm guessing that I'm a likely candidate to be part of the advisory board, and I'd be happy to participate if asked. If nothing else, it'll make it easier to stick to my self-appointed role as keeper of the FAQ.

[swazworth]

We're also getting a lot more attention now, and pernonally, I'd prefer to avoid getting caught up in the hype. While the attention is flattering, we're all about creating a vehicle here -- not vaporware.
Cheers,
-- Ian

sorry i have to call bs on this one. Ian is a hype machine.

now i know i'm new here but i have read up enough to know that, Ian loves the publicity.

anyways 60 days???? i hope that is true. anytime in late August to mid September. (adding some extra time given Ian's track record of time)

sweet, can wait to see it.

[cpaddock]

I found Ian's comment regarding the rise in gas prices to be rather intriguing. Creating
new opportunities and changing relationships? I would think the main thing it changes is the number of potential customers. But they may also see some price increases from their suppliers which will affect the bottom line. And all of us will have relatively less and less cash
available to buy this machine as there is this hole in Daddy's car where all the money goes.

[rogwild]

Well there will be a few more 'Truck - SUV Factories' available to produce V~1's, but that being said; the continuing 'delays' (without explanation) is indeed troubling. Howard said back in Feb. "Alpha ready in 45-60 days", now another 60 day 'slip'. Especially when initially Ian (in the Sirius radio interview) said 12 'prototypes' ready by Sept 2007. Doesn't seem like much 'progress' to me.

As for the 'Advisory Board', we have had a FTR Forum providing that function for the past year (but Ian was 'absent' most of the time). NO THANKS on joining the "Board", I've seen too many 'broken promises', 'missed deadlines' (many 100% within Vv's own control) to hop on this one; just to be disappointed again.

[RAN]

ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

<Whew> sorry about that.

This update is comedy at it's finest. Every time Ian gives us a new "completed by" date is funnier than the last time.

I used to get really pissed at the missed deadlines and updates. That was when I tried taking these people seriously. Now that I know they're completely out of touch with reality, I can see these updates for what they are.... High Comedy. I will accept a position on the Advisory Board if I can bring my clown nose and horn with me. <honk! honk!> :LOL:

[MVRacing]

...they may also see some price increases from their suppliers which will affect the bottom line.

I'm with cpaddock on this one. The competition for battery deliveries has to be getting fierce. Add in electric motors and contollers ... I worry about price increases and availability.

The only plus side I can see is that gas prices make Vv a more attractive investment (as long as they don't visit the "official" site =n:)

Advisory board ... if asked I would participate.

[MikeB]

Creating new opportunities and changing relationships?

I can see this being good and bad.

On the bad side, there is more demand and competition for parts used to build a hybrid, like battery tech. For example, EEStore might have great tech, but it's been locked up with an exclusive agreement with ZENN Motors. VV may have to shop around more to get it's parts.

On the good side, more demand for such supplies may mean that lower prices due to volume production is possible. Also, a battery company may be more willing to cut Venture Vehicles a deal or sign up for a partnership, since the likely demand for the V1 is clearly growing (and thus the likelihood of profit).

[MVRacing]

... EEStore might have great tech, but it's been locked up with an exclusive agreement with ZENN Motors.

Hey guys & gals,
In 2 different interviews with the CEO of ZENN, Ian Clifford I have read the deal between EEStore and ZENN is only for 4 wheel vehicles under 3080 lbs ... This leaves the door wide open for Ian and Vv to do a deal for super cap ZENN Drive power system.

Could it be???? :IDEA:

[cpaddock]

For some reason I am inclined to give 'em a break on the missed "deadlines" issue. What they are trying to do is not an exact science. Not like hanging drywall where you can
bid it down to the man hours per square foot. With the economy stuttering, gas prices
skyrocketing, suppliers and their tech products evolving chameleon-like, making accurate forecasts must be like
trying to discipline a drunken monkey! I am in a trade where I'm expected to project completion dates and am rarely sucsessful due to the custom nature of my work. It is one of the most frustrating aspects of this job. Ian and crew are involved in an infinitly
more complex undertaking. From where I stand, it ain't what you say, it's what you do that counts. If they are moving forward, creating a business package and a viable prototype, doing battle everyday to make this vision a reality, then my hat is off to them and I don't really care that these artificial "deadlines" keep slipping. I hate deadlines anyway.
Curves Ahead!

[rogwild]

'Slipping Deadlines' really don't bug me much, since I have said from the very beginning that I didn't think that they appreciated the complexity of their quest and were unrealistic and overly optimistic in their dates.

What irks me is when they promise something (entirely in their control; ie, doing a 'podcast', videos of key players, diagrams of current 'revised' "D" design, 'update' in the NEXT DAY or so) and then do not deliver. They don't have to make these commitments, but IF the do, they SHOULD KEEP them!

It is very unfortunate, but currently I have no confidence in ANYTHING that Ian says or posts. I really hope that he can make his dream come true, but I'll believe it when I see and DRIVE one.

[RAN]

My feelings exactly Rog. I take people at their word, until they prove that their word is no good. I will no longer be pushing to get to the front of the line to buy a V-1. At this point, I have doubts whether there will ever be a V-1 for sale. And by the time it happens, I'll be so fed up with the waiting and the BS that I probably won't care.

[MikeB]

I've seen the weight limit part of the EEStore exclusivity agreement, but never saw anything about 4 wheels. You might be right, and it certainly would be good news for us.

[CelticFlyer]

Credibility is the key word. If you consistently promise to deliver news of your progress and consistently fail to deliver, sooner or later people are going to lose faith. Even the newbies are starting to see that. I mean look at the "Update Coming Soon" thread over on the FTR site; it started (as they always do) with encouraging news, but then it quickly becomes a *****-fest. Members ruminate over how they keep getting let down, doubt the sincerity of their host and ponder whether the whole project will ever see the light of day.

Remarkably, Ian mentions the "V" word himself...something many of us have considered at one point or another; that this endeavor is nothing more than "vaporware." Investors have forked over millions of dollars to see the concept become a reality. The optimist in me says they will see a healthy return on investment. The pessimist in me says this project is mired in development and will never see completion.

[cpaddock]

Perhaps they would have been better off to have kept the entire endeavor under wraps
until they had a proven prototype and a predictable timetable. There would be no forum,
no club and no complaining. No loss of faith. And no feelings of having participated in the development of this radical vehicle.
Any kind of involvement at this point is a privilage, not an entitlement. I hear y'all on the broken promises thang, but probably because I'm guilty myself of biting off too much at times, I feel like cutting them some slack. Just my humble point of view.

[CelticFlyer]

Footnote: I'm an optimist at heart! ;)

[MarkH]

Credibility is the key word. If you consistently promise to deliver news of your progress and consistently fail to deliver, sooner or later people are going to lose faith. Even the newbies are starting to see that. I mean look at the "Update Coming Soon" thread over on the FTR site; it started (as they always do) with encouraging news, but then it quickly becomes a *****-fest. Members ruminate over how they keep getting let down, doubt the sincerity of their host and ponder whether the whole project will ever see the light of day.

Remarkably, Ian mentions the "V" word himself...something many of us have considered at one point or another; that this endeavor is nothing more than "vaporware." Investors have forked over millions of dollars to see the concept become a reality. The optimist in me says they will see a healthy return on investment. The pessimist in me says this project is mired in development and will never see completion.

I have to say this post by Celtic sums it up completely for me. The only thing I would add would be a small bit of advice to Ian. Get off the conference calls and build the car and don't promise anything to the masses. You don't have a great track record for information delivery. If you have something to post then by all means post. Please stop the I'll post more in a few days... It really is infuriating.

Going back underground now. :cool:

[Charles]

Please, for the sanity of the club and forum members who ever gets asked to sit on the advisors panel light a fire under some asses!!!!! We've been begging Ian to appoint an information officer for months. I for one would be happy with basic information on the construction. Surely someone could say we've built the frame and have three wheels on it? Surely someone can say what the issues are and when a solution will be available? Are we waiting for technology to catch up with the design?:mad::mad: I'm still very enthusiastic about the vehicle but my frustration is growing by the day as is echoed by many in this club. We want one in our driveways yesterday!!!!

[CelticFlyer]

I hope someone here is tapped to be on the board, but I'm not sure I'd want to take part. On one hand, you might be privy to some interesting behind-the-scenes information, but on the other it may be an ordeal squeezing the information out of Ian and Howard.

The other obvious disadvantage is that EVERYONE on the forum(s) would be constantly needling you for information! :confused:

[beeson]

I am excited by the vehicle and it's possibilities. It's just a really fun yet practical concept. I am disappointed and questioning of the company with all of the delays and missed time lines for completion dates and info.

I still want one. But I'm wondering if we will ever see one.

[Bulldog]

Well, I think there WILL be a Venture, like in all businesses it takes time to get rolling, and in this case there is an awful lot working behind the scenes we don't even have a clue about what is happening. Hang in there, like I will...... good things come to those that wait!

[rogwild]

light a fire under some asses!!!!!

A great idea Charles,:IDEA:....and just HOW would you suggest doing that?:eek: