GM Believes That New Bolt Will Steal Tesla Model 3 Reservation Holders

GM won't get the 2 Model 3 reservations I have. GM will not ever get anything from me, even the mythical mid-engine Corvette.

I think the market is totally different for each vehicle.

Just like an iPhone vs an Android.. Yes there is overlap but the core audience is quite different

True - that's why you don't see me bashing the Bolt. If you check out Tesla forums, most have positive opinion on the Bolt as its popularity will help advance the EV cause. The same goes for all future offerings from other automakers even some of them are billed as "Tesla Killers". The more competition the better for the consumers.

Tesla will lose a load of those "reservations" as people get tired of waiting for the Model 3 to actually appear, or they have more pressing financial needs.

When that $7500 tax credit goes away at 200,000 Tesla vehicles, before this thing is even in full production? Forget it.

I would say GM is right, they will get "some of those people" but probably less than 10-15%. Also agree that the Bolt should sell pretty good in it's own right.

I think they may get 5-10% of reservation-holders that won't pick a high-end trim and can't wait until 2018. Many of those will probably be leases to kill time until the Model 3 is widely available.

@Aspy11, you're smoking crack if you think the Bolt and Leaf are going to kill Tesla. I agree with Henry and respect the effort GM and Nissan are making, but there are still nowhere near a Model 3. Performance, looks, and tech don't hold a candle to what Tesla is doing. You can also add range to the list, 215 miles is the base battery on the Model 3--the top model will likely be 300+ miles and available end of next year.

SanJoseDriver

THe Bolt and the Leaf are not going to kill Tesla by themselves - but along with a bunch of other EVs due out - they are going to put Tesla into a really delicate position. As long as Tesla does have a monopoly on the market - their one price one source sales model will work with those who actually want an EV (Still a very small percent of the market). Every competitor into the EV market reduces Tesla's chance of surviving with the sales model - since COMPETITION will mean price competition - and other models will have far more service availability when needed.
For now - it is one thing that Tesla is covering all repairs - but eventually that 150 mile tow (AND MAYBE 500MILES) to the nearest "sales/service" center (I am NOT talking about auto body) will be billed to the customer- remember - you need a TESLA dealer to remove trouble codes from your computer - NO ONE ELSE is given that ability yet - including auto body shops - and the cars disable themselves in many instances of service needed. THere is already documented instances where the centers have refused to reset the computer because the auto body repairs did not meet THEIR requirements.

Dealers sell cars based on their ability to put them on the road - using their OWN service departments - and will not want to take Tesla cars in trade (Especially used car dealers). Among other things - they will not know what is actually wrong with them until tested at a Tesla dealer. Tesla could not possibly afford to absorb ALL the used Teslas. THe value of Used Teslas will drop badly. That will be the beginning of the end. AND while current lineup is are low production vehicles - the adding a high production car - which they need to be profitable - will reduce the "cachet" of owning a Tesla too. IT will eventually lose its position as an "it" car. ANd when that happens - it will have to compete on sales.

@TomM: "Dealers sell cars based on their ability to put them on the road - using their OWN service departments - and will not want to take Tesla cars in trade (Especially used car dealers)." - This is far from the truth. Dealer sell cars based on their ability to make profits off of these cars - period. Dealers are not there to do community service - they are out to make money.

A quick check of used Tesla for sale on "cars.com" yielded 370 in the US, 313 by dealers including franchised dealers of different makes. Cars being sold ranging from 2008 Roadster to 2016 Model S/X P90D.

So be sure you do some fact check before posting.

@HenryN Well said and quite true

@TomM

I could be wrong, but I'm going to assume that you work at a dealership. So far, I haven't met a single Tesla owner that has ever wished they purchased their Tesla from a dealer or has had any issues with going to a service station.

Then again, I live in the Bay Area where there are now 7 Tesla Service Centers--which is roughly the same number as Bay Area Lexus, Audi, or Acura dealerships. My one complaint is having to wait about a month for my last annual (non-emergency) service. On the flipside, they picked up the car at my work, dropped off a $100k loaner car far better than my model, and even did an an alignment for free which was not part of the service. I can say I have had a far better experience with Tesla service, than any other car I've owned in the past (including Lexus). There are also the added perks of no oil changes or brake maintenance.

If I lived in the middle of Idaho or Montana, I would agree that it would be quite annoying to go to the nearest Tesla Service Center. If you live near any large city in the US it is a non-issue, especially when there are fewer trips than an ICE car.

As for the rest of the comment, think TomM answered that. There is still lots of demand for the used cars and the resale value has stayed high unlike the Leaf/Volt.

Last comment, they will need a lot more service stations for the Model 3 but something that has not been publicized very much is that the Model 3 should require less maintenance than the Model S. There are fewer parts (1k fewer), less complex moving parts like the door handles (even the vent directional controls are gone), and the new battery tech does not require the same liquid cooling. I wouldn't be surprised if they announce the 3 will only need maintenance every 2 years/25,000 miles.

If you live in Idaho or Montana you get Tesla Ranger service, which by some accounts is even a better experience than going to a service center.

Not sure why it is an either/or proposition, many families have more than one car. Also one can lease a Bolt EV now (well, soon) and still get a Model 3 later.