- Tesla’s controversial electric pickup is set to hit the market next week, years after it was first unveiled in 2019
- CEO Elon Musk blamed the Cybertruck for production delays and said the company had dug its own grave with the vehicle
- Some industry experts say it would be cheaper for Tesla to scrap the car entirely
Elon Musk fears Tesla is “digging its own grave” with the polarizing Cybertruck pickup truck – with some experts claiming it would be cheaper for the company to stop production of the stainless steel vehicle entirely.
The first Cybertrucks are set to officially hit the market next week, years after the unconventionally shaped vehicle was unveiled in 2019 and was originally scheduled to ship by 2021.
Tesla CEO Musk blamed the production delays on the price of the batteries and the decision to cover the futuristic-looking truck in a stainless steel alloy.
“We dug our own grave with the Cybertruck.” “It’s one of those special products that only comes around every now and then,” he said on a conference call earlier this year.
“And specific products that only come out every now and then are just incredibly difficult to bring to market to achieve volume and be successful.”
Tesla’s unconventionally shaped electric pickup trucks are scheduled to hit the market next week
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company dug its own grave with the Cybertruck
During the call, Musk said it would take 12 to 18 months of “blood, sweat and tears” to reach the required production volume.
Jefferies analyst Phillipe Houchois suggested that the electric vehicle maker should stop producing the truck, claiming it would be better for Tesla shares, Investing.com reported.
“With 2024 already a lost year of growth, it would help Tesla refocus on a lead based on simplicity, scalability and speed.”
Other industry experts said part of the Cybertruck problem is that it is designed for a market that doesn’t exist.
Eric Noble, president of The CarLab, an automotive products and design consulting firm, told Bloomberg: “The problems that are very obvious with the Cybertruck are problems with the concept itself.”
“The market wasn’t asking for a stainless steel finish, a crazy bed configuration, a crazy roofline or a crazy side view. Those are all answers to a question the pickup market wasn’t asking.”
The first Cybertrucks are scheduled to be presented to customers on November 30th at a special live streaming event at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, moderated by Musk.
Musk revealed in a Tesla earnings call that full mass production of the vehicle would not begin until 2024.
Musk said at a conference in October, “We’re in the final round for Cybertruck.”
It is believed that up to 1.5 million buyers have already paid $100 to reserve a Cybertruck, making it one of the most anticipated electric vehicle launches ever.
It’s not clear when these buyers will receive their vehicles, as display models are heading to stores.
The vehicle is a fully electric truck with a square body and will cost from $50,000.
Musk unveiled the vehicle in 2019 and promised a release date in 2021, but postponed it due to production delays
Musk has promised that the first vehicles are on the way to Tesla stores
Musk was embarrassed after one of the truck’s windows was smashed during its launch in 2019.
He said the company aims to produce a quarter of a million trucks per year by 2025, but said the vehicle’s unique design would present the company with challenges in scaling production.
The Cybertruck has an estimated battery range of up to 500 miles and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
Musk blames battery supply issues for repeated delays in building the vehicle and says each Cybertruck would have cost $1 million had it been released in 2021.
According to TCD, there have been more than 1.5 million pre-orders for the new vehicle and analysts believe it could transform the car market.
Cybertruck specs
Three versions are available:
Single-engine rear-wheel drive
- 250 mile range
- 7,500 pounds of towing capacity
- 0-60 mph in under 6.5 seconds
- Costs $39,900
Dual motor four-wheel drive
- 300 mile range
- 10,000 pound towing capacity
- 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds
- Costs $49,900
Three-motor all-wheel drive
- 500 mile range
- 14,000 pounds of towing capacity
- 0-60 mph in under 2.9 seconds
- Costs $69,900