Tesla Model 3: top 10 cars that reservations holders are replacing with the new EV

Tesla is about to deliver the first few Model 3 cars this week and ramp up production over the next few months.

With reservations estimated at around 500,000 units, if Tesla can stick to its production goals and work through that backlog over next 12 months or so, the Model 3 will have a massive (and difficult to understand) impact on the auto industry.

Here we take a look at some of the most popular cars that are taking a hit from the arrival of the Model 3.

A Facebook group of Model 3 reservation holders took a poll of the vehicles that they are replacing with their upcoming Model 3.

Over 150 reservation holders answered the interesting but admittedly unscientific poll and we compiled the top 10 here:

1. BMW 3 Series: 21
2. Nissan Leaf: 15
3. Toyota Prius: 13
4. Chevy Volt: 12
5. BMW i3: 12
6. Audi A4: 10
7. Chevy Bolt EV: 8
8. VW eGolf: 6
9. BMW 5 Series: 5
10. Honda Civic: 5

Electrek’s Take

There are a few interesting things manifesting from these results. Mainly that the top car, the BMW 3 Series, is actually a vehicle that Tesla CEO Elon Musk named when listing cars that they plan the Model 3 to compete with.

Musk said that Tesla aimed to position the Model 3 as a mid-luxury sedan competing with cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, and interestingly, both cars are in the top 10.

Another interesting thing is the fact that there are a lot of electric cars: 4 all-electric models, one plug-in hybrid, and one hybrid.

The Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, and VW e-Golf make sense since the owners likely liked their electric car ownership experience and now want a vehicle with longer range and potentially more features for roughly the same price.

The Chevy Bolt EV is more surprising since deliveries only started a few months ago and therefore, it would be a quick turnaround. With this said, once we have the full production specs and features of the Model 3, it should be interesting to compare them with the Bolt EV and then, that decision could seem easier.

It’s sad to see Model 3 taking just as much market shares from EVs as from gas-powered cars, but it’s good news for the used EV market.

Finally, another interesting insight from the results is BMW seems to be the automaker taking the biggest hit with 3 cars in the top 10.

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Featured Image: Two Tesla Model 3 prototypes spotted at a CCS/CHAdeMO charging station – Picture by Addison Conzet