Some potential purchasers of Tesla’s long-delayed Model 3 sedan are worried that they will miss on big federal tax breaks and are searching for options, including General Motors’s Chevrolet Bolt, as per postings by prospective Tesla buyers on websites and interviews with GM dealers.
Recently Tesla informed some holders of Model 3 reservations that they would not get their vehicles till 2019, generating complaints on Tesla enthusiast forums. Tesla refused to comment.
General Motors dealerships in California, the leading U.S. market for electric vehicles, state vigorous demand for Bolts is driven in part by frustrated Tesla customers who are afraid they will lose a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit if they wait. The tax credit drops in worth and ultimately vanishes once Tesla sells 200,000 electric vehicles in the United States.
Tesla’s Model 3 production problems provide rival automakers an opportunity to snatch customers. Tesla stated that the net variety of refundable $1,000 appointments for Model 3s was steady late last year and grew recently, with numerous thousands in line. However some purchasers are lacking patience.
Chevrolet dealer Yev Kaplinskiy stated his dealership situated in between San Francisco and Silicon Valley sold 15 Bolts recently, after Tesla’s newest delay.
“We’re getting the Tesla people who wanted their Model 3,” Kaplinskiy stated. “We ask, ‘What other vehicles are you interested in?’ They’re mainly Tesla. However they want the car now. They don’t wish to wait.” Some of the weekend buyers had turned to Chevy because of the latest Tesla delay, he stated.
Chevrolet sent an email to some potential buyers last week, revealing in bold case, “Bolt EV: Now available.”
The Bolt and Model 3 both start at about $35,000 and can travel more than 200 miles (322 km) on an electric charge.
