Tesla’s set to deliver its first Cybertrucks as the EV market hits some potholes
Better late than never?… Tesla said it would deliver 10 Cybertrucks to customers at an event at its Austin factory today (it’s supposed to be livestreamed on X, natch). The company announced the futuristic ride four years ago, and it aimed to deliver it to eager buyers two years ago. A lot’s changed since the 2019 reveal, with experts saying the once pitched price of $40K may end up closer to $60K (deets are expected to drop today). And while the Cybertruck has finally arrived, it doesn’t mean it’s ready to scale:
Widertruck: The truck’s stainless-steel exterior is said to be difficult to shape, with some observers spotting large gaps between panels.
Pick up the pace: The Cybertruck is Tesla’s first vehicle that runs completely on its manufactured-in-house battery cells, which are reportedly behind schedule.
Back of the pack… but comin’ in hot. There are now several fully electric trucks for sale, notably Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Rivian’s R1T. They’re electric on the inside, but on the outside look like OG gas-powered pickups. The Cybertruck — with its angular shape and polarizing design — headed in a wilder direction. That, plus the fact that electric sales growth is cooling, means the Cybertruck may find itself starting the race for market share well behind the bunch. Still, the market’s growing: EVs are expected to make up nearly 10% of all cars on US roads this year.
A flashy horse stands out… but ain’t guaranteed to win the race. Analysts say Tesla’s Cybertruck is a major gamble, with boss Elon Musk saying he hopes to churn out 200K of them every year. Still, in the increasingly crowded EV market, Cybertruck’s viral cachet and sci-fi aesthetic could drive a lot of sales, especially if it can scale at a competitive price.