Chevy Bolt to be put into production next year (2016)

Elon Musk has said the Tesla Model 3's "target" is the BMW 3-series. Saying the Model 3 and Bolt/Leaf 2.0 are direct competitors is like saying the Cadillac Escalade is a direct competitor to the BMW M3 because they're in a similar price range, they both seat at least 4 people, they both have 4 doors, and they both run on gasoline.

I'll wait for the Model 3, regardless of how long it takes to come to market. If it doesnt suit MY needs, then I'll look for a used Model S. If someone gave me a Chevy Bolt, the first aftermarket modification I'd get for it is a "For Sale" sign.

 

get Model 3 and bolt it on

 

Don't forget... a lot of Model S owners bought one because they wanted an EV now. Some of those admitted that they would have never bought a Model S for that price tag if it was a luxury ICE car. Some even said they really stretched their budget to get into a Model S.

If a 200 miles Bolt is sold today, those types of buyers are going to walk away from a Model S and get a Bolt.

I know that is tempting to me too even though I could afford a model S. And I really want to get out of my loved Rav4EV after 3 years, so I do not have to get into replacing expensive parts.... uh... bad Tesla parts. Bolt might be my Rav4EV replacement if it comes out.

 

trying to compare two cars that are only the stuff dreams are made of is a difficult proposition.

 

The iPhone motor trend app has a new article on the bolt that was posted today. FYI.

 

Let's pretend it is sometime in 2016 right now.

If someone gave be a choice between either buying a Chevrolet Bolt for $35,000 now, or waiting 6 more months and buying a Tesla Model 3 for even a little more $ (and without knowing much about either at the moment), I would decide to walk the mile to work for the six months. And then I'd probably still buy the "3". Knowing how the S looks and works compared with the competition, I don't consider that a tough decision.

 

Until I can go down to the dealership and put down the money and drive it away, I'll consider it to be a concept car, and nothing more. This is a convenient rumor to scare potential customers from purchasing competitor models today.

 

I think the real problem have been the high-end buyers Tesla took away from the traditional luxury car makers. This explains why so many jumped on the EV bandwagon trying to reclaim these buyers. Down-market sales remains interesting but the numbers don't make sense except for the Leaf and some plug-in hybrids. Worse, January really hurt those numbers.

Still, I'm reminded of how much 'buzz' came out early in the Volt development and give GM Kudos for that effort. The complement to 'buzz' is 'static', the mud tossed at the Prius. The effect is a near permanent, anti-hybrid bias in many car buyers as found in recent surveys. This anti-hybrid bias appears to have its own momentum.

Bob Wilson

 

One other factor I would be researching is the comparative costs to own a Tesla model 3 versus Chevy Bolt. One very big surprise Tesla S owners discovered was their cost to repair in the event of a crash. Especially due to the specified requirements from Tesla and the specialized materials used in their construction. There are also many obvious cases of price gouging too.
If You Own A Tesla Model S, Just Don't Dent It! - Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) | Seeking Alpha

Regardless of their superior design/quality, most people are not prepared to absorb the cost to own a higher end vehicle beyond the usually substantial cost to purchase one. Unfortunately, most people never consider this aspect when buying.

IMO, the most economical vehicle will win.

 

If it were the case everyone'd be driving Mitsubishi Mirage

 

Never heard of it.

My sentence you quoted was in reference to the thread title... Chevy Bolt.

 

This is Android autocorrector doing... I've corrected spelling.

Mirage is the cheapest car on US roads to own, so if most economical wins everyone should be driving one. For whatever reason people still buy other brands/models? There will be those who will buy Tesla, just because it is Tesla. As PT Barnum said there is a sucker born every minute

 

with a tesla, you're paying for range, it's a simple matter of economics. otherwise, someone else would already have a 200 mile car for less money.

 

There is a side battle between the (still to be made) Model 3 and Bolt. The major battle is between former ICE car buyers and to be recruited EV buyers. You can be sure the Bolt would not even be a concept idea if not for Tesla making a real EV.

 

In response to the bolded section...
Considering your opinion of the interior of the S, I certainly hope they don't!!
Our family has put 70,000 miles on our Model Ss, including many regional trips and a 5000 mile road trip to California and back.
We put a similar amount of miles on our Prii back in the day.
We loved our Prii, still smile when I see one. But to compare the seats favorably is shocking.

Love the interior layout of the S. The screen is easy to use as the driver, if needed although 95% of the time I am using the steering wheel controls. As for the clean, modern look, I understand that some don't prefer that. I hate cluttered dashboards, even if they are made of "luxurious" materials.

I hope the Model 3 stays true to a more streamlined, less cluttered, fully functional layout.

As for the biggest reason I am unlikely to buy a Bolt...
To do so I would have to buy through a middleman, GM dealer.

 

Some 2016 models are already on sale now.

Tesla Model X may reach customers in about one year from now if no further delays. A Model S85 with basic tech package is $90,000. I would not hold my breath for a $35,000 2017 or 2018 Model 3. Nissan will probably deliver first followed by GM.

 

The cars from GM & Tesla are vaporware so there is no way to make an informed decision. Perhaps neither vehicle will be suitable. Presuming both vehicles have similar specs and that both companies continue their current policies and practices there's no question.

Will GM provide free software updates to improve functionality? Don't think so.

Will Chevy provide a loaner when the car is in the shop? Don't think so.

Will GM provide free fuel?

When did GM stop installing known defective and/or substandard parts? I seem to have missed the announcement.

Will GM's warranty match Tesla's and how willing are they going to be honoring it? I don't believe it will be as inclusive and expect a fight getting a dealer to look at the car.

I don't see Barra as the solution because in my eyes she's part of the problem. When she was in procurement and manufacturing what was she doing when GM was buying crap parts?

I don't know what Barra is going to have to do to get me into a Chevy but it is a lot more than she's doing now.