The Delay is Over: Tesla Rolls Out Its First Cybertruck
Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle manufacturer, has triumphed over adversity to build its first Cybertruck at its Austin, Texas facility, as announced in a recent Saturday tweet. This comes after two years of delays, largely due to component shortages, which led to the launch being pushed to 2023.
Elon Musk, the company’s founder, first introduced the Cybertruck in 2019, attracting significant attention with its “armor glass” windows. However, in a surprising twist during the reveal, the vehicle’s window shattered, contradicting its ‘unbreakable’ claim.
Despite the past delays and unexpected mishaps, Tesla remains ambitious in its plans. Musk declared at a May shareholder meeting that the company aims to manufacture 250,000 Cybertrucks per year, contingent on demand. This venture puts Tesla squarely in the profitable electric pickup segment of the U.S. market, jostling with Ford and Rivian Automotive, which have both recently launched electric pickups in limited numbers.
Shaking off any setbacks, the first Cybertruck rolled out from the Texas factory, almost four years after its prototype’s introduction. This launch comes amidst heightened competition, with the likes of Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Rivian’s R1T pickup gaining momentum in the market. Despite the rivalry, Tesla aims to distinguish its Cybertruck with a triangular stainless-steel design, contrasting with the traditional design of competitors.
Musk expressed some caution about the state of the EV market. A slowing sales trend and rising inventory at dealerships across the U.S. present challenges for Tesla as it ramps up Cybertruck production. However, Tesla isn’t holding back from trying to stimulate demand by cutting prices across its model lineup.
As for the Cybertruck, Musk stated earlier this year that it wouldn’t be a significant part of Tesla’s portfolio until 2024, but the company plans to begin delivering Cybertrucks to customers in the third quarter of this year. Musk advised, “I wouldn’t put too much stock in the start of production. It’s kind of when does volume production actually happen, and that’s next year.”
The introduction of the Cybertruck wasn’t without its snags. In a dramatic moment at the late 2019 introduction, Musk asked his design head to test the truck’s bulletproof claim by throwing a small metal ball at its side window. In an unexpected turn of events, the window cracked. Musk’s memorable reaction was, “Oh my f—ing god. Maybe that was a little too hard.”
Amidst these developments, Tesla is conscientiously focusing on scaling its output. As part of this process, several plans, including building a semitrailer truck and an affordable $25,000 EV, have been put on the backburner, as stated by Musk.
In summary, despite the delays and initial hiccups, Tesla’s journey in producing its first Cybertruck is a testament to its tenacity and innovation. As it confronts the market challenges head-on, the future of Tesla and its Cybertruck seems exciting and full of potential.
Photo courtesy of Tesla.
