[aerobod]

Originally Posted by MikeT

It's been absolutely stunning to me how Tesla has taken over that small premium sedan segment, vanquishing not only BMW but also those other competitors. I see brand-new Model 3s all over San Francisco, all day every day. If I added up all the brand-new G20s, Audi A4s, Mercedes C class, Lexus IS and Cadillac CT4 I see on the road AND multiplied by 10 it *might* approximate the number of brand-new Model 3s I see.

Across North America sedan sales are declining in general, it isn’t about the cars for BMW anymore, even though the 3-series is still the best selling car, the X3 sold double the number in Q4 2020. Overall their “X” SAVs/SUVs now outsell the cars by 50% or so.

In 2020 both BMW and Tesla both sold just over 300,000 vehicles in North America, so the mix in the San Fran area is not typical of most markets by the sound of it. Here in Canada Model 3 sales dropped to 6,151 in 2020 compared with 9,900 in 2019 and 11,000 in 2018. The 3/4-series sales have also decreased in a similar proportion - 4,836 in 2020 (model switch-over year) 8,187 in 2019 and 9,733 in 2018. The move has mainly been to SUVs, with 80% of the Canadian market now being “light trucks” (SUVs and pickups) and only 20% cars.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by aerobod

In 2020 both BMW and Tesla both sold just over 300,000 vehicles in North America, so the mix in the San Fran area is not typical of most markets by the sound of it. Here in Canada Model 3 sales dropped to 6,151 in 2020 compared with 9,900 in 2019 and 11,000 in 2018. The 3/4-series sales have also decreased in a similar proportion - 4,836 in 2020 (model switch-over year) 8,187 in 2019 and 9,733 in 2018. The move has mainly been to SUVs, with 80% of the Canadian market now being “light trucks” (SUVs and pickups) and only 20% cars.

You're absolutely right that consumers have abandoned sedans (and coupes) en masse for SUVs. Nonetheless, it's amazing to me that the remnant of the market that is sticking with premium-compact sedans has become so thoroughly infatuated with Tesla (at least where I live). Again, I have no dog in this fight. Not a Tesla shareholder or driver (and no desire to become one), but, wow, what I see reminds me very much of the Apple iPhone 10 years ago when a new player became the dominant player in like 2-3 years.

[Lucky13]

For every Tesla you see in California I see 10 pickup trucks in South Carolina. Very few Tesla.

[silver_mcoupe]

Tesla certainly broke the traffic light GP game - unless it rains; then they all make like they're Morgan Freeman Agree totally that around here they are everywhere (no I have no intent to own one yet). The range anxiety is not something I'm willing to contend with.

Friends of mine just drove their Y from SF to Riverside - they made 6 power stops along the way. Just not for me.

[XutvJet]

I'm not huge electric car person, but I do find the upcoming 1080hp Tesla Model S Plaid to be pretty amazing. 0-60 in less than 2 seconds, low 9s@150mph+ in the 1/4 mile, and a 390mi range.

Low 9s? Really? Nuts. You'd need an NHRA license to race the car at a drag strip.

I also find that Model S, especially the Plaid's body work, to be pretty sexy and timeless.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by silver_mcoupe

Friends of mine just drove their Y from SF to Riverside - they made 6 power stops along the way. Just not for me.

Such insanity and big part of the reason why I have no interest in EVs right now. I drive my m235i San Francisco-to-Palm Springs with a single 10-minute break.

[Lew Carrum]

Originally Posted by abraxas613

I'm simply thankful that a manual option is available for both the M3 and M4...one can only hope that the next M2 will follow that trend.

Regardless, the grill isn't that bad IMO.

Unless you live in Britain where its auto gearbox only.

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by Lew Carrum

Unless you live in Britain where its auto gearbox only.

Actually the base M3 / M4 RWD is available in the US with a manual transmission. The performance version, I forget what they are calling it, comes with X Drive is only available with the 8 spd auto transmission.