This page contains selected excerpts from FUELL’s updates that demonstrate where FUELL has misled its backers.
These statements raise questions about the accuracy and honesty of their communications. This document highlights instances of inconsistent or vague messaging to backers.
July 7, 2023
"We are on track and expect to begin shipping the first batch of Flluid e-bikes by the end of this month, as planned."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 9
July 24, 2023
"We are experiencing unforeseen delays with some key suppliers and won’t be able to start assembly as planned this month."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 11
Augustus 31, 2023
"Currently, we are on track with the mentioned timelines, and the start of production remains set for early October."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 12
October 13, 2023:
"As for frames, we have decided to localize the production in the US, and have been working with two suppliers in the Midwest. Initial production reviews of the frames have identified some issues with the details of the frame extrusions that required adjustments to the tooling. Painted frames are now expected to start coming in by the end of October. Perfect quality achieved!"
"As a result, we are now planning to finalize assembly and testing of the e-bikes by the end of November, to be able to ship the first units in December (for US customers) and January (for EU customers)"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 13
November 2, 2023
"We still aim at meeting our projection of US shipments beginning in December and European and Rest of the World shipments in January 2024."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 14
November 17, 2023
"Our assembly phase is officially underway, starting as planned at the end of November."
"Our primary focus is on bringing high-quality products to our backers with the goal of making the first deliveries before the end of 2023, we anticipate US customers receiving their Flluids throughout December and January. For our EU customers, the delivery timeline is set for February and March."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 15
December 4, 2023
"Valeo, our drivetrain supplier, is now shipping by air the final revision version of the Motor Drive Units (“MDUs”). We have received the first 50, and are expecting the next 50 this coming week."
"We also received a shipment of the final production release American made frames, and they passed inspection, so we have given the green light for full production!"
"We aim to start deliveries of US shipments this month, ramping up daily, and send the first container across the Atlantic for our European customers in January 2024."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 16
December 22, 2023
"However, we have to work with delays in the frame shipments and with production batteries – pushing back mass production to start now in January."
"We’ll be ramping up starting with 3 Flluids a day initially to 10 Flluids a day at full speed by the end of January, and we expect to assemble all Indiegogo Flluids before the end of March."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 17
January 22, 2024
"Production cadence will ramp up as humanly possible. Our objective is to have all Indiegogo Flluids sent out your door by April at the latest."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 19
February 9, 2024
"As for assembly, our battery supplier managed to air-ship batteries before the Chinese New Year, and our frame supplier is still aiming at production stability before the end of the month."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 20
March 4, 2024
"In retrospect, on-shoring frame production to the US was way more complicated than expected, yet we now have a beautiful US-made frame, with the first production frames finally delivered before mid-March."
"We’ll update as we start assembly – as communicated before, all other parts are there, the assembly crew is fully operational and ready, and we’re planning on getting all backers’ e-bikes assembled by the end of April."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 21
March 22, 2024
"We haven’t unfortunately started assembly yet because the frames are again late."
"Meanwhile, we have made subassemblies of components and are planning 2 shifts to keep the delivery schedule, recruiting and training 2 more assemblers."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 22
March 29, 2024
"Once we get the thumbs up on the frame finish from the painter, daily frame production will likely begin the week of April 15th and assembly can expect production frames on April 22 (the supplier will be producing up to 15 frames per day)."
"We’ll be then assembling and shipping immediately to US customers, and loading the first container to Europe (probably 80 units). It will take another 6 weeks to arrive in Europe at our distribution warehouse, which is ready to prepare to ship as fast as possible to EU customers."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 23
April 19, 2024
"We expect all the latest fixtures to be complete during the week of April 22 so that frame production can ramp up."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 24
April 26, 2024
"Lastly, here is a quick update on production - fixtures issues have been resolved and we’ll be present at the frame supplier next week to monitor progress and first production, confirm the production schedule, and also with the intent to bring back frames ourselves."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 25
May 2, 2024
"Transport, installation, and setup/qualification will take two weeks, so we will not have production capacity for frame tubes until the week of May 13th."
"There have been a few that took far more time and investment to get right than we would have liked, but we are through that battle, and the delayed components are coming in shortly."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 26
May 18, 2024
"Deliveries happening !"
"but thanks to the dedication of the welding team working through the weekend this should only push back shipping by a few days."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 27
May 23, 2024
"Please, follow only our Indiegogo updates for the latest information on the production and shipping timelines."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 28
May 31, 2024
"Paint issues solved, mass production of frames underway"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 29
June 8, 2024
"Here is the picture you’ve been waiting for, the first production Flluid-3S"
"The painter will receive a steady supply of Flluid frames to feed production."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 30
June 15, 2024
"Critical component with possible issue - to be investigated"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 31
June 18, 2024
"Issue identified & solved, production slightly delayed"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 32
June 23, 2024
"While waiting for updated Mid Drive Units, we continue to assemble bikes."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 33
June 28, 2024
"We’ve been assembling the first bikes and our warehouse is already full"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 34
July 10, 2024
"While waiting for the MDUs to arrive, we continue ramping up frame production, painting, and sub-assemblies and can’t wait to deliver the first Flluids to you."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 35
July 26, 2024
"Flluids are going into boxes!
"We’re now boxing and shipping Flluid-2 and 3, and shall update individually our backers as their Flluid is ready and ships!"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 36
Augustus 3, 2024
"First Flluids are rolling out
"Production is now ramping up, with Flluids in process in all assembly stations."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 37
Augustus 10, 2024
"First Flluids en route to backers
"We are not at our full production pace yet but Flluids are continuing to be assembled and shipped:"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 38
Augustus 16, 2024
"Yet we have only been able to ship less than a dozen Flluids to date"
"whereas frames are now cadenced at 20 per week and ramping up, the painting process between the validated prototypes for all colors and models, and what has been delivered, resulted in very few frames at the quality we expected."
"Frames are being reworked by hand at great cost and labor, so our paint supplier decided on a 500% increase in paint cost and asked us to find another supplier asap!"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 39
Augustus 27, 2024
"Current frame painter stopping, moving to color wraps"
"It came to us as a surprise as we had been discussing with them for months about the paint job, paint quality, masking techniques, and so on. We have used them on past projects and have been very happy with their work."
"We will continue with the painter in the short term to keep shipping bikes at a slow pace and we should be able to make this transition to the automotive wrap and remove painting as our pacing factor very shortly. We’ll be building Flluids this week as we are promised a delivery of frames, and shipping right away."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 40
Augustus 31, 2024 • 3:16PM
"So far, 11 Flluids have been assembled, 9 shipped and 28 frames are being painted - with little visibility on schedule despite our pressing demand. While we’re using these frames, we’re conducting tests on wraps to be able to shift very soon."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 41
September 8, 2024
"Only 3 frames were delivered to us this past week, as our current supplier is getting organized with additional labor. We're expecting more frames this coming week..."
FUELL Indiegogo Update 42
September 16, 2024
"We continue to assemble Flluids as frames arrived - we were delivered only 2 frames this past week, including a RED Flluid-2S"
FUELL Indiegogo Update 43