07.04.23
The Silverado EV was launched last week and it is gorgeous, it packs an EPA range of 450 miles range for a 9000 lb Pickup truck... But, what is the price and availability?
Chevy as did Tesla in 2019 and as did Ford in 2021, announced the BEV base trim Pickup to start at $40k.
I honestly was shocked by Tesla, as I was shocked by the $35k promise back in 2016 for the Model 3 (although they did briefly reach $35k in 2020 and today after rebate).
Tesla could have gone a long way with an appealing Model 3 for $40k and a CyberTruck for $50k, both were/are being launched while a full $7500 rebate was/is offered.
There was no need to promise such low pricing from the start.
This forced Ford and Subsequently Chevy/GM/Dodge to offer a base price for $40k. However, it is clear, no one will deliver on that at least not in the first few years.
To Ford's credit, they did sell a few Pro's at $40k, proof of concept, before jacking it up to $60k, while only available for fleets and not available now at least until next year.
The cheapest Lightning available to buy is the Ford XLT with 240m range, Dual motor, it is $65k before added features, before Dealer markup, before Tax.
This is a way of a car company saying: "No way we are selling this truck for so low while demand exceeds supply".
For all OEMs other than Tesla at this time, you can add "especially when We still lose money selling at $65k or even at $80k",
Can't blame them for that, Tesla did the same with the Model S in 2012 and the Model 3 in 2017 and the Model Y in 2020 and will probably do the same with the Cybertruck in 2023.
I just wish they would not promise ridiculous low prices early on.
Any way, Chevy chose to present The Silverado EV a bit different than Ford.
They are offering the Fleet only, Commercial work truck trim 4WT with 450m range at $79k first.
Later they will introduce the 3WT at lower price, 350m range, still fleet only.
Retail trim, the RST will launch later this year at $107k, 400m range, similar to the Hummer EV price, Battery size and specs.
Later, at some point, Chevy says they will offer retail and WT trims from $52k and up.
The Silverado offers some interesting features with the highest RST trim, like Multi-Flex Midgate(passthrough cabin Wall) and Load stopper, allowing to load an 11 ft Sofa in the truck, while bed is only 5.8 ft.
Also a 4 wheel steering is offered with RST trim.
As Ford delivered less then 25k Lightnings in 1 year since launched in June 2022, I expect Chevy as well to perform similarly, at slow ramp-up, both for adjusting assembly lines, corporate mentality, Osborne effect dilemma and limited battery supply (each truck packs up to estimated 247kwh battery and 212kwh usable, same as the Hummer EV).
At these $65k for low range and $80-$100k+ prices for high range models, BEV pickups will only fit a narrow market similar to the Raptor or Platinum ICE Trims.
Only when prices truly start at $50k-$60k for a decent above 300 mile range Pickup, will they capture significant market share.
Though, none of the Legacy OEM's are in a hurry to Osborne affect their highly profitable Ice pickup market.
I guess it all comes down to the Cybertruck.
Will they offer a 350mile Pickup for less than $60k?
Will they ramp-up production faster than inclined Legacy OEM's?
I truly believe the answer to both questions is Yes.
Less than 3 months left to wait.
#Rivian #RIVN #Ford #Tesla #TSLA #Silverado #HummerEV #Lightning
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