So despite how enamored I am with the Bolt (even just the concept of having an average-priced car be a full-functioning BEV), I have to say that I am very disappointed in the delivery and ordering processes.
As some of you might know, bro1999 had been tracking the Bolt production and shipment very closely, and despite having what could have been hundreds of production Bolts built by the end of the first week of December, it took until the end of the month to get them on dealership lots. I know that the dealerships themselves have to be held accountable for part of that shipment process, but those train car loads of Bolts sat in a siding for nearly two weeks before shipping out. I think this was GM's saving a few dollars by consolidating the shipment, but to that, I say, "Shame on you, GM." The few thousand dollars you might have saved cost you dearly in reputation, and it made what might have been meant as a good-natured rib at Tesla (delivering three pre-ordered Bolts to customers in Fremont) into a "publicity stunt."
On the ordering front, I also have some disappointments. I feel upset on behalf of others who pre-ordered and are still waiting, but that was not my experience. I reserved through a dealership (one of your highest gross EV dealers) that was supposed to receive 80 Bolts by Christmas. I was one of the first to reserve, and at that time, we were given a TPW of 11/28. Well, the TPW went from 11/28 to 12/5, and the number of Bolts went from 80 to 16. And as of today (the last day of the year), that number is now only 12. I still don't know if the car I originally ordered has been delivered (it is a mere 60 miles away from the dealership). So close, yet for tax purposes, so far away. Pre-ordering or reserving a car shouldn't feel like playing the Lotto.
My disappointment also extends to many of the dealerships, though. From what I'm seeing, many are using this trickle of Bolts to mark the vehicles up quite a bit. Not that I think the i3 is worth the cost, but the Bolt EV (even in Premier trim) shouldn't be the same price. The other issue I see is, many of the dealerships seem clueless about what really matters in the Bolt. Of the 12 that arrived at the dealership I went through, only 2 were not already reserved, but they both had something in common. Yes, they were both base LTs, but that's not the only thing. Neither had the DCFC option. If you ordered a Bolt EV (especially at this point) without the DCFC option, it tells me that you are completely out of touch. Sure, maybe a few customers here or there would want a Bolt EV without fast charging, but from what I'm seeing, I fear that the initial Bolt EV sales are going to be poor simply because of the number of non-DCFC Bolts the dealerships ordered.
From what I've seen, it seems that dealerships are cutting the DCFC option on the most stripped down trims of the Bolt, and my guess is because they want to make it as cheap as possible. But people who are in the market for Bolt EVs are not doing it to be cheap, and if you can afford a $35,000 car, you can afford a $36,000. So here's my little side prediction on that note: By this time next year, more Premier Bolt EVs will be sold without DCFC than LT Bolt EVs without DCFC. Why? The people who know they don't want DCFC also know what they DO want, so they will likely buy/lease fully loaded Bolt EVs minus the DCFC option.
I'm trying to account for some of the decisions and choices above. The only thing I can think of is that maybe everyone just assumes that the Bolt EV is nothing more than lease bait. Sorry to burst your bubble, but one of the most revolutionary cars to be built this century is not just another compliance car to be leased out due to the Fed tax credit and residual value.
As some of you might know, bro1999 had been tracking the Bolt production and shipment very closely, and despite having what could have been hundreds of production Bolts built by the end of the first week of December, it took until the end of the month to get them on dealership lots. I know that the dealerships themselves have to be held accountable for part of that shipment process, but those train car loads of Bolts sat in a siding for nearly two weeks before shipping out. I think this was GM's saving a few dollars by consolidating the shipment, but to that, I say, "Shame on you, GM." The few thousand dollars you might have saved cost you dearly in reputation, and it made what might have been meant as a good-natured rib at Tesla (delivering three pre-ordered Bolts to customers in Fremont) into a "publicity stunt."
On the ordering front, I also have some disappointments. I feel upset on behalf of others who pre-ordered and are still waiting, but that was not my experience. I reserved through a dealership (one of your highest gross EV dealers) that was supposed to receive 80 Bolts by Christmas. I was one of the first to reserve, and at that time, we were given a TPW of 11/28. Well, the TPW went from 11/28 to 12/5, and the number of Bolts went from 80 to 16. And as of today (the last day of the year), that number is now only 12. I still don't know if the car I originally ordered has been delivered (it is a mere 60 miles away from the dealership). So close, yet for tax purposes, so far away. Pre-ordering or reserving a car shouldn't feel like playing the Lotto.
My disappointment also extends to many of the dealerships, though. From what I'm seeing, many are using this trickle of Bolts to mark the vehicles up quite a bit. Not that I think the i3 is worth the cost, but the Bolt EV (even in Premier trim) shouldn't be the same price. The other issue I see is, many of the dealerships seem clueless about what really matters in the Bolt. Of the 12 that arrived at the dealership I went through, only 2 were not already reserved, but they both had something in common. Yes, they were both base LTs, but that's not the only thing. Neither had the DCFC option. If you ordered a Bolt EV (especially at this point) without the DCFC option, it tells me that you are completely out of touch. Sure, maybe a few customers here or there would want a Bolt EV without fast charging, but from what I'm seeing, I fear that the initial Bolt EV sales are going to be poor simply because of the number of non-DCFC Bolts the dealerships ordered.
From what I've seen, it seems that dealerships are cutting the DCFC option on the most stripped down trims of the Bolt, and my guess is because they want to make it as cheap as possible. But people who are in the market for Bolt EVs are not doing it to be cheap, and if you can afford a $35,000 car, you can afford a $36,000. So here's my little side prediction on that note: By this time next year, more Premier Bolt EVs will be sold without DCFC than LT Bolt EVs without DCFC. Why? The people who know they don't want DCFC also know what they DO want, so they will likely buy/lease fully loaded Bolt EVs minus the DCFC option.
I'm trying to account for some of the decisions and choices above. The only thing I can think of is that maybe everyone just assumes that the Bolt EV is nothing more than lease bait. Sorry to burst your bubble, but one of the most revolutionary cars to be built this century is not just another compliance car to be leased out due to the Fed tax credit and residual value.
