PHOENIX -

Elio Motors — a new auto manufacturer entering the market — announced the launch of its first national television advertising campaign this week. Elio Motors has been on the radar of many watching the ongoing direct-to-consumer sales debate spurred primarily by Tesla Motors’ sales model because of Elio’s similar direct distribution plans.

Elio Motors, whose cars are still in development, has retail centers that will offer point-of-sale options; customers choose the options they desire; the order goes to one of seven marshaling centers, and the car is delivered to the retail center by 10 a.m. the next day.

Joel Sheltrown, Elio’s vice president of government affairs, argued the benefits of the direct-to-consumers sales model during the Federal Trade Commission’s Auto Regulation Workshop held last week in Washington D.C., during a panel discussion, titled, “Auto Distribution: Current Issues & Future Trends."

Both Sheltrown and fellow panelist Todd Maron, general counsel at Tesla Motors, agreed consumers are being harmed by states that bar direct distribution by automakers.

The new advertising campaign launched this week by Elio is geared toward continuing to build comsumer awareness for the company’s three-wheeled vehicle that is expected to get up to 84 MPG and sell for a base price of $6,800.

The company plans to start production late this year, and almost 50,000 people have made reservations to purchase an Elio vehicle. The company will produce from a former General Motors production facility in Shreveport, La.

The campaign includes 30- and 60-second TV spots, titled, “Own the Future.” The spots include detailed shots of the company’s P4 prototype, and also features founder and chief executive officer Paul Elio outlining his vision for the company. To see the 60-second spot, check out the video above.

The spots, which were created by ION Drive Films in Los Angeles, will air on national cable networks, including Animal Planet, ESPN News, ESPNU, Fox Business Network, Fox News, Fox Sports, National Geographic and Velocity.

"We are on a mission to change the world, and sharing our message with as many people as possible is an important objective to our long-term success," Elio said. "Our grassroots and digital efforts have helped create a strong – almost rabid – enthusiasm for our vehicle. As our funding situation continues to make progress, we are now in a position to share our message and create more fans through this national advertising campaign."

The company is currently in the midst of its first stock offering and has raise approximately $16 million. The offering will close on Feb. 1, and the funds will go to development of engineering and testing prototypes, which Elio calls the E-Series.

"The stock offering, the launch of the E-series and this advertising campaign are all tangible signs of progress," Elio said. "This project positively impacts many of the issues that will be top of mind in the 2016 presidential election — from job creation to environmentalism and American manufacturing strength. We are doing more than talking. We are doing something about it with relentless action every day. The momentum we continue to build is getting us closer to production."