Elio Motors Teams with Infinite Skyz, Turns 84 MPG Elio into Connected Internet Vehicle

SkyzMatic Internet Connectivity Available as Option following Elio Motors' Sept. 2015 Launch

LAS VEGAS -- Nov. 4, 2014: Elio Motors today announced at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show that it will offer the SkyzMatic vehicle connectivity system from technology innovator Infinite Skyz to provide customers connected car features including in-vehicle VoIP calling and Wi-Fi, remote vehicle monitoring and alarms, remote start and lock/unlock and navigation. The Elio ultra-high mileage vehicle, slated to launch in late-2015, will get up to 84 MPG and cost just $6,800.

The connectivity will also provide Bluetooth 4.0, in-vehicle Wi-Fi internet access, camera monitoring and logging, vehicle location monitoring and accelerometer data monitoring.

"Infinite Skyz and the SkyzMatic system will provide the deepest offering of in-vehicle and remote connectivity services available on the market when we launch in 2015," said Paul Elio, founder and CEO of Elio Motors. "Our company is focused on revolutionizing the transportation industry, and we are always on the lookout for other innovative partners who can improve our overall customer experience. The SkyzMatic system will provide convenience and peace of mind for our customers and provide another way for Elio to stand out among the competition."

Elio Motors has always considered its vehicle, with unique front-to-back two-person seating, to be an excellent vehicle for first-time drivers. The ability to track location, mileage and accelerator data will be a valuable tool to help monitor their children's driving habits. All of the information provided by the SkyzMatic system will be transmitted directly to an iPad or iPhone. All of the remote features will be transmitted with an iPhone or iWatch.

Gartner Group, the internationally respected technology consulting company, listed the "Internet of Things" such as the connectivity of a vehicle to the Internet, as the second most important technology trend in 2015.

"Internet connectivity for the things we use in our daily lives is set to experience exponential growth in the coming years and we applaud the foresight of Elio Motors to offer this unique technology to their customers," said Elizabeth Drake, Vice President of Infinite Skyz. "The information available to Elio owners through the SkyzMatic connectivity will significantly enhance their overall experience with the vehicle through added convenience and safety features. We look forward to rolling out what is certain to be a sought after technology on such a soon-to-be popular vehicle."

The Elio will be manufactured in Shreveport, Louisiana, in a former General Motors facility that manufactured the Hummer H3, creating 1,500 jobs. In addition, the Elio will use 90 percent North American content, creating another 1,500 jobs at its supplier partner companies. These manufacturing jobs will in turn create approximately 18,000 indirect jobs across the country.

Elio sees multiple markets for the vehicle in addition to first-time drivers. For consumers who still need the occasional functionality of a pick-up truck, sport utility vehicle or minivan, he says the Elio is an "and" vehicle – purchase a larger vehicle for those times when you need the functionality, but use the Elio for solo commuter trips. For example, 76.3 percent of all commuters drive solo to work every morning according to the U.S. Census Bureau.