I don't see how anyone can still defend GM. I was hoping they might learn from the Bolt which is the excuse the GM apologist's use to justify the $9k loss before the deep discounts. Love the Corvette and would liked to have seen an EV version. Very disappointed that after 4 years of the Bolt, GM feels the maximum charging speed for the Lyriq at 150kW adequate. It's the lack of forward thinking that I've lost all hope for GM to survive the decade.
I posted this on the Bolt forum as possible reasons why the incumbents can't seem to field a compelling contender and more importantly survive. Until they address/adopt all these Tesla advantages, they will continue to fall further and further behind.
Legacy assumed Tesla was not a threat so without Tesla,
- EV's would prove once again, not ready for prime time, technically, financially, viability, public perception.
- Big oil has a huge influence on Automotive
- The culture of established brands is slow to change
- Fiscal prudence to support profitable product lineups rather than non-profitable
- Corporate boards measure success 1 quarter at a time. Results in myopic planning.
Now you factor in the Tesla effect,
- Innovating faster
- Better technology
- Understands that BEV's are software dependent
- Able to take risks due to size/youth (Cybertruck)
- Vision to see Supercharging was a necessity, not a luxury
- Could go all in on BEV's without risking or cannibalizing existing golden egg
- More efficient manufacturing due to innovations
- Vertical Integration, various advantages from costs to improvement cycles and supply chain
- David vs. Goliath underdog fan club. People are starting see through the FUD
- Fixed pricing, better buying experience
- Elon Musk
- Better understanding of product demographic (e-Silverado should have been before the Bolt)
- Future generations look to Tesla as an aspirational brand. Kids get it.
- Compelling products
- Superior specs
- Safest vehicles available
- More energy dense batteries (300 Wh/Kg)
- More cost effective batteries (cost/KWh ~$60 with 4680's)
- Pulls top talent from all facets of the industry. Legacy's are 3rd, 4th, 5th choices after Tesla/SpaceEx
- Has SpaceEx rocket scientists at their disposal for innovative tech, metallurgy, production, etc.
- Understood that batteries were the single most critical supply line and invested in Giga1 in 2014. Legacy laughed.
- Branding without advertising is envied
- Demand exceeds production, without advertising
- Reputation as the leader in BEV's. Nobody's even close.
- Tesla is synonymous with BEV's like Kleenex is to tissue
- Invented and mastered OTA upgrades (look at China recall, fixed 300k cars over the weekend)
- Most efficient drivetrain, aero, batteries
- Best range and MPGe for similar vehicles
- Global player and expanding market (see Silk Road Supercharger route)
- First and only non-Chinese owned factory in China
- Industry leading revenue to debt ratio
- $20B cash on hand, soon to overtake GM without the debt
- Not burdened with aging, underutilized infrastructure of factories
- Pension/health care/Union obligations either minimal or non-existent
- Light on their feet and can switch directions quickly (Model 3 motor, heat pump)
- Not burdened with dealer franchise network middleman
- Diversified revenue streams from Superchargers, Tesla Energy, Software
- Industry leading autonomy with exponentially more real world miles of data and 5th most powerful supercomputer on Earth
- Lowest depreciation of any BEV
- Best customer satisfaction
- Best long distance BEV based on cost and time charging
- Quickest production car in the world
- Improves cars as better features, processes, specifications become available rather than holding till model year refresh
- Most American made car you can buy
