A Deal!
The ELR starts at $75,995 and the word is that Cadillac dealers may be cutting juicy deals to clear them off the lots. The only big options on the ELR are the Luxury Package (blind spot mirrors, rear cross traffic, IntelliBeam headlamps, and 20 x 8.5 machined alloy wheels) at $1,695 and Adaptive Cruise Control at $1,995.
The 60 kWh battery-equipped Tesla Model S starts at $69,900, with 208 miles of range (add another $2,000 to be “Supercharger Enabled”). If you want the full ticket of 265 mile range with the 85 kWh battery, you need to pony up $79,900. ($10,000 for an extra 57 miles of range?) If you want the full bore boy racer P85, get ready to drop $93,400 for the privilege of faster acceleration, red(!) Brembo brakes, a carbon fiber spoiler and an Alcantara headliner. And that’s all with “textile” seats. Tesla charges an extra $2,500 for Nappa Leather trim, in addition to nickel and dining for a range of options, from LED interior lights ($1,000) to “Paint Armor” ($950) and even tires (low rolling resistance Michelin Primacy MXM4s on the 60 kWh model for $1,000). Want to save $900+? Skip the factory plastic coating and pick up a 3M Paint Defender kit. Tesla’s margin is clearly in the options.
Tesla doesn’t have a nationwide dealer network. It might never have one. Cadillac does and always will. If you think that’s a bad thing, you probably have a bad dealer … you have the freedom to go to the other side of town and find a new one.
NEXT: Will Cadillac Continue to Build the ELR?
Sound Off! Will Cadillac Continue to Build the ELR?
With the ELR’s dismal first year’s sales, General Motors is faced with some tough decisions. I’ve spent a number of days with the car, and can say first hand, it’s a very cool ride. The failure to find an audience isn’t the fault of the designers or engineers. This is a car that deserves better.
