Tesla Model 3 Reservers Defecting To Chevrolet Bolt EV After Latest Production Delay
11
Sponsored Links
In early February, Tesla announced that reservers waiting patiently for their base Model 3 sedan won’t receive their car until 2019, which represents a full-year delay. Now, they’re beginning to defect to the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, Reuters reported last Friday.
Would-be owners have posted online detailing their frustration with the Model 3 delay and many are afraid they won’t receive their cars before the federal tax credit of $7,500 is depleted. Every automaker is eligible for the tax credits up to 200,000 vehicles sold. After the 200,000 mark, the credits enter a sunset period until they’re reduced to $0.
Many analysts expect Tesla to hit the 200,000 cap by this fall, which would leave thousands of Model 3 reservers without the government incentive. The $7,500 brings the Model 3’s $35,000 price under $30,000.
Chevrolet dealer Yev Kaplinskiy said his dealership in San Francisco sold 15 Bolt EVs in one weekend following the Tesla announcement.
“We ask them, ‘What other cars are you interested in?’ They’re mostly Tesla. But they want the car now. They don’t want to wait,” he told Reuters.
The brand also fired off a direct email to prospective customers following the Model 3 delay, which simply read: “Bolt EV: Now Available.”
Chevrolet sold 23,297 Bolt EVs in 2017. In comparison, Tesla assembled and delivered only 2,400 Model 3s in the fourth quarter of 2017. It built just 260 Model 3s in Q3 of 2017.
General Motors has two new electric cars less than 13 months away, and one will likely arrive as a more upscale alternative to the Bolt EV for the Buick brand. Meanwhile, Tesla set new production goals for itself in 2018. It hopes to build 2,500 of the sedans per week by the end of Q1 2018, and then increase production to 5,000 cars per week at the end of Q2 2018.
Sponsored Links
GM hates Telsa as their leadership prefers to take a passive aggressive jabs while refused to mention Tesla by name so that’s most likely why GM won’t offer a targeted Tesla incentive to Bolt EV buyers…There are articles that state 80% of all EVs are leased so this means the majority of the EV buyers may be forced to buy/lease another car if their Model 3 isn’t ready…
The Bolt EV and Tesla are two drastically different vehicles, in GM speak, the Bolt would be like a Sonic Hatchback while the Model 3, is like a Caddy ATS with optional AWD and a performance variant…
Tesla does not offer leasing on the model 3 currently.
…the Model 3, is like a Caddy ATS…
Never compare the Model 3 to the Cadillacs. The Model 3 is just what everyone sees: a cheaper Model S. Cadillac will bring their “electric ATS” soon.
Never say never; I wasn’t the first to compare an ATS to a Model 3 nor will I be the last…Tesla themselves states the Model 3 targets BMW owners, no not the i3 but the ICE 3 Series, doesn’t the ATS compete with the 3 Series?
ATS = Starts at $35K, luxury badge, attractive compact size, is a sedan, RWD standard, AWD optional and performance variant optional…
Model 3 = Starts at $35K, luxury badge, attractive compact size, is a sedan, RWD standard, AWD optional and performance variant optional…
Bolt = Starts at $37K, economy badge, unattractive subcompact hatchback, FWD only and no performance variant available…
The exodus from the Tesla offers to the real Chevy sales was expected.
I’ve never quite understood the Barnum and Tesla boner many have.
There are a some reports out there that suggest Tesla may be in more trouble than they let on. We have also heard that GM is aiming for an electric fleet coming up here in a few years.
Out of curiosity, what are the opinions of GM buying Tesla in the hypothetical situation that Tesla does end up going down and becomes available for someone to swoop in and pick up?
If one believes they’re going down, short them…
Big three have little to gain by acquiring Tesla…Legacy ownership will most likely tannish the brand’s cool factor, right or wrong, it would bring the UAW into the mix and GM can already build a fleet on its own…
The only reason for the big 3 to acquire Tesla are out of petty spite, simply acquire them to kill them…While the 2.0 Roadster technology (base Roadster 0-60 in 1.9 seconds while quicker versions are optional) is impressive, if an automaker is willing to write a large enough check, Tesla may license out their tech, they did so for the Rav4 EV and with MB…A Tesla powered “E-Ray” Vette if quicker than the Z06 would obviously alienate of a lot of the diehard GM fans, the question is, would it gain enough sales from the younger generation? Would the person thinking about the base 911, a Shelby or a Hellcat, would they put the “E-Ray” on their radar if it was quicker?
What does make sense is for a smaller automotive company, think Mazda or Subaru, to acquire them…
How much would tesla cost and would the govt allow GM to buy tesla
Detroit is totally incapable of buying Tesla. Hate to break it to you guys but the big 3 are now very small companies in relative terms. And other than Toyota, they’re not worth very much.
Market capitalization, which is the value of all their shares: Tesla 56.53B, GM 57.18, Ford 42.23, FCA 31.95B
Compare that to Apple at 751.24 and Google at 767.04B.
In fact, Apple with their incredible cash reserves could buy the entire auto industry in the US, Europe and Asia and shut them all down if it wanted to. Auto companies all have low profitability and are capital intensive. As Musk is finding out not very profitable…
BTW, this is a really STUPID title for an article. GM only has a production capacity on the Bolt at 30-35,000/ year. The model 3 has now exceeded 1000/ week which is already way pass the Bolt. The issue is they can’t meet reservation demand.
BTW, I’m indifferent on Tesla.