Connect with us

Experts Expect the Bolt to be a Smash Hit in its First Year

(Credit: Chevrolet)

Car Manufacturer News

Experts Expect the Bolt to be a Smash Hit in its First Year

2017 Chevrolet Bolt

2017 Chevrolet Bolt (Credit: Chevrolet)

The Tesla Model 3 has been getting all of the attention in the EV world as of late, but there is another heavy-hitter in the works in the Chevy Bolt EV. While many are focused on Tesla’s next move, Chevy should be plotting a swift attack should Tesla once again trip over its shoelaces off the starting line. One expert believes that this almost-certain stumble for Tesla could result in a huge sales boost for Chevy.

Tesla has this nasty habit of overpromising and delivering on its promises very late (or not at all). So far, it hasn’t had any competition that could swoop in and scoop up its ticked-off clients. Now, with the 200-mile, $37,500 Bolt EV set for a late-2016 limited release and a full release in 2017, Tesla can’t afford to have any slip-ups in the release of its priced-for-the-masses Model 3.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 (Credit: © Tesla)

Karl Brauer, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, believes that Tesla will stall and push production back to 2018. Given Chevy can hit its release dates, Brauer believes the Bolt can scoop up to 10 percent of buyers on the Model 3’s waiting list, which would equal more than 30,000 at this point. What’s more, Brauer sees that as the sales floor and he anticipates total Bolt sales to be between 30,000 and 80,000. That would be a massive success for a first-year EV.

While I appreciate Brauer’s bullish estimate, I simply cannot see the Bolt cresting the 30,000-unit mark that early on. Even in its best year, the bestselling Nissan LEAF only barely exceeded that number in 2014 when it saw 30,200 units find new homes. The following year, it fell to 17,269 and 2016 is shaping up to be even worse. Keep in mind, though, this could all change should gas prices suddenly rise to the $3-per-gallon range again.

Stay tuned for updates.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Car Manufacturer News

SPONSORED

Newsletter

Get Our StoriesIn Your Inbox

Subscribe for our latest news, reviews, and lists.

Popular Stories

Recent Posts

SPONSORED
To Top