Wow, lots of GM hate in here today. I hope the Bolt does very well. The arguments that is "more expensive" are a bit fascinating, as in actuality the $37,500 price INCLUDES the destination fee, which Tesla's prices (normally) do not. So the actual price differential may only be $1300 between the two cars (below the noise level when car shopping). What will be more important to folks is how much they cost after they get the options they want. I can almost guarantee you will be able to buy a fully loaded Bolt with all the creature comforts (but none of the performance stuff) for thousands less than the equivalent Model 3. That might end up appealing to a LOT of people in this price bracket. The whole "do I buy a loaded Model 3 or a base Model S for the same price" debate people here will have.
They aren't competing in the same market segment despite the fact that they are both EVs. That would be like comparing a Honda Fit to a Acura ILX. And those bubbly looking compact cars do seem to be popular with how many I see on the roads today. While I do not like the looks of the Bolt, I think it gets to looking that way to provide lots of interior room. I will bet folks who are taller might appreciate the extra headroom in a Bolt (which has more headroom than a Model S) and might be willing to overlook the exterior design for more clearance to the headliner when driving. And that upright stance will probably be easier to enter and exit, which is also a factor for some folks. Low slung sporty cars get pretty rough on the knees when you get older.
I think the two cars will exist comfortably together. I doubt Mary Barra is worried. Price-conscious buyers will choose a Bolt and luxury/performance minded buyers will pick the Tesla. There is also the known brand factor. Tesla is pretty unknown to the masses and will have to prove its reliability to them over time. Many might prefer to start with a Chevy EV since they know what they are getting, know they can get service (this is a common feeling over in the Volt forums, BTW)
Now the one who should be worried is Nissan. The Bolt and the Model 3 will probably really cannibalize Leaf sales since they haven't made it to the 200 mile threshold yet.
They aren't competing in the same market segment despite the fact that they are both EVs. That would be like comparing a Honda Fit to a Acura ILX. And those bubbly looking compact cars do seem to be popular with how many I see on the roads today. While I do not like the looks of the Bolt, I think it gets to looking that way to provide lots of interior room. I will bet folks who are taller might appreciate the extra headroom in a Bolt (which has more headroom than a Model S) and might be willing to overlook the exterior design for more clearance to the headliner when driving. And that upright stance will probably be easier to enter and exit, which is also a factor for some folks. Low slung sporty cars get pretty rough on the knees when you get older.
I think the two cars will exist comfortably together. I doubt Mary Barra is worried. Price-conscious buyers will choose a Bolt and luxury/performance minded buyers will pick the Tesla. There is also the known brand factor. Tesla is pretty unknown to the masses and will have to prove its reliability to them over time. Many might prefer to start with a Chevy EV since they know what they are getting, know they can get service (this is a common feeling over in the Volt forums, BTW)
Now the one who should be worried is Nissan. The Bolt and the Model 3 will probably really cannibalize Leaf sales since they haven't made it to the 200 mile threshold yet.
