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Comment by NewJazz | Hacker News Reader

They've literally never made a budget sedan EV. Looks like they are happy to let Hyundai and Tesla take that market, while they churn out SUVs?

Also the 35k trim won't be available until later this year.

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They made the Bolt EV from 2016-2023, and they're revamping it to use the new Ultium platform.

You could buy a 2023 Bolt starting at $26,500, and they're great cars.

Bolt is not a sedan. It is a subcompact SUV.

Aren't you referring to the Bolt EUV, which is distinct from the subcompact hatchback Bolt?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Bolt

vs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Bolt_EUV

We're kinda splitting hairs here. The significance, to me, is that the bolt does not have a very compelling drag coefficient compared to e.g. the Tesla M3 or the Ioniq 6.

This about sums it up, doesn't it?

>"Give us a budget EV that does this or that and we will buy it!

>"How about the Chevy Bolt?"

>"Sorry, the drag coefficient isn't as low as I'd like."

It's always something. This is why auto companies aren't building cars for these people: they have lots of opinions, but don't actually buy cars.

Wtf are you talking about? I said budget sedan. Bolt is not a sedan. It doesn't compete with vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6, which have much lower drag coefficients and consequently significantly longer range despite comparable battery sizes.

You're generalizing, and it is disingenuous.

>Wtf are you talking about? I said budget sedan. Bolt is not a sedan. It doesn't compete with vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6

I'm talking about things exactly like this: "these cars don't compete because one you put the luggage in the trunk!"

It's 2024. How are sedans still a thing?

Plenty of people don't want the higher fuel consumption, worse visibility, and higher cost associated with larger vehicles.

The OP use Tesla as an example.

The Bolt is smaller and lighter than the Model 3.

And for that smaller size and lower weight you'd expect much better range... Right? Right??

Also we'll see what the new LFP bolts weigh...

>And for that smaller size and lower weight you'd expect much better range... Right? Right??

You called it a "larger vehicle". In no way is it "larger" than a Model 3. Right? Who said anything about range?

Literally the first thing I put in my comment was "higher fuel consumption".

>It's 2024. How are sedans still a thing?

It's an irrelevant distinction, agreed.

I love my Bolt, but it's not a sedan. That said, it's not terribly surprising GM is not interested in making an electric sedan given that it's been declining in popularity over time. Ford isn't even making any sedans at all apart from the Mustang.

It's too bad the 2023 Bolts are for the most part unavailable new, even though the used 2023 bolts have super low miles, and thus not qualified for the IRA rebate.

That market barely has room for the two players already there. Really, there isn’t even room for Hyundai.

Hyundai is doing pretty well [0].

Outside the US, Polestar and BYD are also selling well.

[0] https://www.motor1.com/news/714695/hyundai-evs-sales-spiked-...

Reading about cars on HN is a real Gell-Mann Amnesia moment for me. So many people unaware of the state of the car market, and what's out there.

I wonder if the consensus on HN is still that Tesla is going to bankrupt the entire car industry?

Yes, I know. We’re talking about EV sedans. Hyundai has one, and it’s a great car, but it’s not exactly their volume seller. I don’t know that Polstar considers the 2 a sedan.

They shipped almost 2000 in one month. I don't know what kind of volume you're looking for for a 40k+ car in an economy filled with price sensitive consumers, but they are definitely selling more Ioniq 6s than GM is selling Blazer EVs.

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