At this point, Tesla Inc. cannot claim dominance over the electric vehicle market on the strength of technology alone. In this area, the field has actually become competitive, especially after mainstream automakers got into the EV bandwagon.
Tesla vehicles, however, have so far left their competitors in the dust due to their design language. To demonstrate all these, one could turn to how the Chevrolet Bolt measures against the Tesla Model 3.
The Tesla Model 3 Ascendancy
The Chevrolet Bolt is General Motor's answer to the entry level Tesla EV. Some units have already begun rolling out, and they are being sold for $37,500. The amount is slightly more expensive than the Model 3's $35,000 price tag, but the Bolt will have longer range: 238 miles to the Tesla competitor's 215 miles.
Now, GM claims that the demand for Bolt is healthy, but no preorder figure has been released so far. What we know, however, is that reports indicated GM will make just over 30,000 Bolts in 2017. The Tesla Model 3, on the other hand, has a backlog of preorders, and the number has zoomed past half a million already.
The consensus is that the Model 3's popularity is attributed to its mainstream pricing and its fidelity to the sleek Tesla EV design. This could now change after BMW i5 enters the picture.
BMW i5 vs Tesla Model 3
A recent report has outed the BMW i5, which is slated for 2021 release. It will pack serious EV technology such as a level 3 autonomous driving, which would allow the vehicle to have full control of all functions.
"We're going to see what we believe to be the first full autonomous capability," Ian Robertson, board member at BMW, told Auto Express. "We've assembled quite a powerful group, so putting these big companies together with this company we own [Here] is giving us a powerful move down the autonomous road."
Striking Design
One notable aspect to the BMW i5, however, is its striking design. It is sleek with looks that closely follows the BMW aesthetic tradition. According to Robertson, it will allow people to recognize that the i5 is a BMW car without seeing the company's badge.
When it was first leaked back in 2015, the concept car has been touted for its resemblance to the Toyota Mirai. By looking at the vehicle's front side, one will recognize that this is no longer the case.
The i5's design credential are burnished by the grille, light treatment, and the graceful lines that all constitute a significant departure from the appearance of the BMW i3 and even improved on the sporty vibe of the hybrid BMW i8.
At this point, there is still no word about pricing, but the i5 is expected to directly compete with the Tesla Model 3, which should mean it would cost below $40,000.
