Audi has cut the entry price of its first battery-electric crossover, the e-tron, by $8,800 for the 2021 model year as the German luxury brand begins expanding its EV lineup while facing criticism that the e-tron's range is significantly less than rival Tesla.
Audi said it would lower the price of the e-tron compact crossover to $66,995 including shipping, from $75,795 for the 2021 model year. The brand lowered the base price by $8,900, but increased the delivery charge year-over-year from $995 to $1,095.
In addition, Audi said it has increased the e-tron's EPA-estimated range from 204 to 222 miles, "through optimized drive system hardware and software adjustments." A new e-tron Sportback derivative that went on sale this summer has an EPA-estimated range of 218 miles.
Audi dealers have complained that the e-tron's expensive price point and original range made it a tough sell against Tesla and EVs coming from other luxury automakers. Through the first six months of 2020, Audi sold 2,872 e-trons in the U.S., which was up 57 percent from compared with 2019, the model's initial year in the U.S. market.
Q. When is an $8,500 incentive not an $8,500 incentive?
A. In states (like New York) that apply sales tax to incentives.
Thus the $8,500 offer is only worth $7,745. The only reason I can think of for the high price and high incentive is to overcome the fact that the $7,500 federal incentive no longer applies in Bolt transactions. The high GM incentive may be a way to placate the Bolt buyer.
In addition - The much higher list price is a negative when consumers are shopping online.
GM needs to cut the price of the Chevrolet Bolt for MY21.
If I were in the market for a BEV (I am not) and the choice is between the Model 3 or the Bolt--I'd take the Bolt.
Why? Although the electronics in Tesla are far and away better than anything in the market, the fit and finish and what I sit in, see, and what Mother Nature punishes is much better on the Bolt. Although, I will also say that the Bolt also has good electronics and wouldn't worry about it not being as good as Tesla's. Finally, the Model 3 has a hugely high profit margin over the Bolt (which probably doesn't even make money) and that price should be lower. If it were lower than I would say hands down Model 3 over Bolt.
I suspect that $8500 Bolt rebate is only available in CARB states, which are also most likely to charge sales tax on MSRP, not final actual cost like many non-CARB states.
Wow...I guess here in GMI land is the only place where the Bolt is preferred to the 3. I just cant fathom dropping 40k for a subcompact when there are other more appropriately sized/styled options out there. I've driven a subcompact on the highway for almost a year in my Versa...it sucked.
The only thing IMO you can legit say that the Bolt has over the 3 is build quality and support after the sale...Tesla still has some work to do there but with their corporate structure you're less likely to deal with Shyster service reps that are prevalent in dealer networks.
Re: ride harshness in 3 vs Bolt...I guess that is because the 3 is a sport sedan. Think of it like this: CT4 vs Spark, the CT4 is going to be a little harsher riding than the Spark because of its sporting intent.
But look at that little happy blue face in the picture above!...Wouldn't you want to walk out of your house,job or nearby brothel to see that happy little face smiling at you? Asking, "Where do we go next Bob?!."
Did you know that spelling Bob backwards is Bob?...and Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar?...sorry.
I'm still baffled as to why GM spent heavily to bring the Bolt to market as a totally undesirable little shoebox that would embarrass a spinster librarian eco-warrior.
It sells very well in Commiefornia, plus do not forget all the data they have to work with now on their next gen stuff. In addition throw in the Spark EV which they used to build upon to bring in the bolt
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