I just saw this article. I hadn’t realized the number of EVs in the “affordable” market space. The listed models are made by stalwart manufacturers with established dealership base. And Chinese and Vietnamese models may make to our shores by 2024 & 2025.
The range of the models below are competitive compared to the base Tesla 3: Competition:225-275 base (the exception is the Mini Cooper with a 114 range&base Leaf 129);
Tesla 3:272. Current price of base Tesla 3 is $46,990*.
The Tesla 3 is still superior to the rest. The buyer has to weight that superiority vs price.
My definition of affordable in this context is EV price = or near = to IC vehicles.
2023 Nissan Ariya Engage FWD - $43,190
2023 Toyota bZX4 XLE FWD - $42,000
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE Standard - $41,450
2023 Kia Niro EV S - $39,450
2023 Volkswagen ID4 Base RWD - $37,495
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric SE FWD - $33,550
2023 Mini Cooper SE Signature - $29,990
2023 Nissan Leaf S Hatchback - $28,040
2023 Chevy Bolt EUV LT - $27,200
2023 Chevy Bolt EV LT Hatchback - $25,600
Motor Trend review of Chevy Bolt
I did notice that the Bolt likely has adequate horsepower but less than the Tesla:200 vs 272. Tesla 0 to 60 5.0 seconds vs Bolt"s 6.4 seconds.
Tesla is not a luxury brand in the traditional sense of the phrase. Tesla has a very well defined business model which aims to arrive at the “affordable market space” in due time. They started with the roadster as proof of concept followed by a couple of luxury models followed by a couple of midsize model. Just recently they announced a new affordable platform which should be out in two or three years. Their other target was to bring down manufacturing costs. The affordable models are supposed to cost half as much to make as the midsize models.
The current Tesla pricing is in part the result of the current Fed induced money printing inflation and recently there are signs that prices are starting to drop or incentives are starting to rise. Of course, with the Inflation Inducing Act – sorry Reducing Act, set to kick in in January the market is somewhat in disarray.
The one thing you failed to mention is that despite the number of affordable models which should sell in larger numbers than midsize and luxury brands, Teslas Model Y outsells all affordable models by a lot – excepting a golf cart sized Chinese model. Is it demand or production capacity? Economic logic says it should be the latter. It’s the Giga Factories!
One problem with all the comparisons is that right now all these numbers (except perhaps the Chevy Bolt ones) are incorrect. It is not possible to buy these cars for those prices in the real world. When you go to a dealer (and I have), the prices for them are substantially higher, most more than $5k higher, and some even more absurdly higher.
After getting frustrated visiting assorted dealers between 8 miles away and 75+ miles away, I simply went to tesla.com and selected a model, color, and options, the MSRP showed up at the bottom, I clicked “purchase”, paid a small deposit, and that was it. The price listed was the exact price I paid a few months later when they had a car ready for me.
My second EV I purchased used from Carmax. It’s the third vehicle I’ve bought there and it’s been a pleasure dealing with them each time. Same idea, the price listed is the price I paid, no trickery, no dealing with slimy salespeople, no haggling.
I am personally holding out for the Audi Q4 e-tron. Starts at $50k.
With the tax incentives penalizing foreign made vehicles, I might be waiting a while - though I hear Audi and Hyundai are going to shift production to the US to get the tax credits in the future.