Chevy Offers Tesla Drivers To Defect To GM's EV Blazer, But Would Be Better To Make The Offer To Silverado and Ram

In a move that has electrified (or perhaps frustrated) the auto market, Chevrolet has unveiled an attractive discount aimed squarely at Tesla owners. This $4,000 incentive beckons these drivers to "defect" to GM and trade in their sleek electric sedans for the all-new Chevy Blazer EV.

This has Chevy fans and Tesla loyalists alike buzzing with intrigue (and perhaps a hint of anger). For Chevy enthusiasts, the offer is a potential game-changer. It injects a dose of excitement into the market (are we thrilled to see Chevy taking on Tesla head-on?), and could entice those on the fence about an electric Chevy. For example: some Tesla Model Y owners may find the Blazer EV very attractive (that new Blazer EV is looking very appealing with that discount...)

But is Chevy targeting the right audience? Chevy's Blazer EV discount for Tesla owners might be better suited for their Silverado truck line. Silverado drivers, particularly those accustomed to the power and utility of a full-size truck, might be more surprised by the switch to a smaller SUV, even with the electric appeal. It would be better for the planet if Chevrolet's Blazer EV discount applied to Hummer, Silverado, Ram, Suburban, Ford Explorer, and etc...

Indeed. With all these legacy car companies aiming to poach Tesla owners, it's like one company trying to attract the customers of another company that doesn't rely on them.

On the other hand, Chevy's offer to Tesla and other EV owners and lessees could leave some potential Blazer EV car buyers feeling frustrated (why not us?) and slighted. Loyal Chevy customers deserve a shot at that discount too!

Imagine a Silverado driver, happy with their gas-guzzling powerhouse, being enticed by the environmental benefits and efficiency of an electric Blazer. The emotional connection to a truck might be strong, but the discount could spark a moment of intrigue (hmmm, electric truck? Maybe...).

One thing's for sure, this strategic move by Chevy has certainly energized the conversation around electric vehicles. Will it poach Tesla owners? Will it reignite interest in the Chevy brand? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain, this discount is sure to evoke a range of emotions (thrill, frustration, intrigue) from both Chevy fans and Tesla loyalists alike. What's your opinion about Chevy's move? Please, click the red link below to write your comment and join the discussion.

Like I said above, I have a hard time picturing Tesla owners defecting to GM. But on the other hand, the Blazer EV is pretty nice. The exterior and interior designs of the Chevy Blazer EV blow away that of the Tesla Model Y, and it has useable ground clearance, unlike the Model Y. "The Blazer EV is a bigger vehicle than I am currently looking for, but would definitely choose that over the Model Y if I was in the market for a CUV," I saw one person commenting in one of the online discussions on this topic.

In the same discussion, one other person, who claims to be a Chevy Bolt owner, said, "If they bring back the Ultium Bolt at a solid price that undercuts Tesla I can see them getting new EV buyers. But I don't think any current EV driver would willingly move to GM. I say this as a Bolt owner."

I personally like Tesla vehicles, but if there was a $27,000 Chevy Bold, especially one with modern charging speeds and access to the Telsa Supercharging network, I would say that would get many car buyers into "no-brainer" territory.

Too Little, Too Late? The El Camino We Never Got

Some critics argue that the Blazer EV may be a missed opportunity for this offer. They say a more successful strategy would have been to create a modern electric El Camino, a legendary Chevy Ute (utility vehicle) that combined the functionality of a truck with the sleekness of a car. This, they argue, would have been a more compelling alternative to the Tesla Model Y, which lacks true truck-like capability.

"It needs to be a modern El Camino rather than a glorified station wagon," one critic argues. "The Tesla Model Y and the Model X lack ground clearance for genuine off-roading, so they're really in the same CUV market."

This perspective adds another layer to the debate. It suggests that Chevy might have been better off targeting a different segment of the electric vehicle market altogether. However, this strategy wouldn't address the elephant in the room: the recent recall and Stop Sale that plagued the Blazer EV due to software glitches. Offering a discount to Tesla drivers might be seen as a way to move past these stumbles and generate some much-needed positive buzz. In fact, a few months ago the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV drove off with the title of MotorTrend’s 2024 SUV of the Year.

One thing's for sure, this strategic move by Chevy has certainly energized the conversation around electric vehicles. Will it poach Tesla owners? Will it reignite interest in the Chevy brand? Only time will tell. 

Chevy Blazer's $4,000 offer is also only being offered in these cities and I believe are based on zip codes.

• Albuquerque
• Birmingham, Alabama
• Charleston, West Virginia
• Charlotte
• Chicago
• Dallas
• El Paso, Texas
• Greensboro, North Carolina
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Huntsville, Alabama
• Jacksonville
• Little Rock
• Mobile, Alabama
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Orlando
• Richmond, Virginia
• San Antonio, Texas
• San Francisco
• Savannah, Georgia
• Tampa
• Washington, D.C.

Chevy's $4,000 discount offer applies to both leases and purchases and can be combined with other incentives, bringing the total potential savings to a much higher amount. This includes the federal tax credit, a Costco member discount, and even a loyalty program bonus for existing Chevy electric car owners.

I am also thinking while the Tesla Model Y offers superior performance and a minimalist interior, the Chevy Blazer EV counters with a potentially lower price thanks to the $4,000 discount and its stackable incentives. The Blazer EV also offers a smoother ride and a more traditionally styled interior with buttons and knobs, which some drivers might prefer over Tesla's touchscreen-centric approach.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.