During an earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk provided an update on the company’s highly anticipated Cybertruck pickup truck. Musk revealed that the first Cybertruck recently built at Tesla’s plant in Austin, Texas was a pre-production example, meant for final testing and certification. While Musk acknowledged that production volumes may initially be low, he expects customer deliveries to begin later in 2023 and production to ramp up in 2024.
The Cybertruck’s production was initially scheduled to start in late 2021, but multiple delays pushed the timeline back. Musk attributed the delays to the incorporation of new technologies and unique components and processes in the Cybertruck’s production. He emphasized that Tesla is investing significant efforts to ensure the highest quality and performance for this groundbreaking electric truck.
One of the key new technologies in the Cybertruck is a battery cell with higher energy density compared to the ones currently used by Tesla. Drew Baglino, Tesla’s senior VP for powertrain and energy engineering, highlighted this advancement during the earnings call. The new battery cell offers a 10% higher energy density, which could potentially translate into increased range for the Cybertruck. However, it remains unclear whether this will result in a change in the previously announced range options of over 250 miles, over 300 miles, and over 500 miles.
Regarding pricing, Tesla initially revealed a starting price of $39,900 for the Cybertruck during its 2019 debut. However, this information was later removed from Tesla’s website in 2021, suggesting that the starting price may vary when the Cybertruck is officially available for purchase. The recent price reduction of Ford’s rival electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning, prompted Musk to comment on Twitter that the Ford truck is a “good vehicle” but “somewhat expensive.” This implies that Tesla may be considering adjusting the Cybertruck’s pricing strategy in response to market competition.
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During the earnings call, Tesla also shared some details about the Cybertruck’s dimensions. The full-size Cybertruck is expected to be 19 feet long, making it suitable for more private garages compared to competitor trucks that are typically longer than 20 feet. Tesla claims that the Cybertruck will be the first truck of its size, with four doors and a bed exceeding six feet in length.
In terms of production volumes, Tesla plans to scale up to high volume next year. Musk’s emphasis on the Cybertruck’s complexity and the new technologies involved suggests that Tesla wants to ensure a smooth production ramp-up without compromising quality. By 2024, Tesla anticipates that production volumes will be sufficient to meet the expected demand for the Cybertruck.
Overall, Tesla’s update on the Cybertruck during the recent earnings call provided insights into the production timeline, technological advancements, potential pricing adjustments, and the truck’s unique dimensions. With customer deliveries expected to commence in 2023, Tesla enthusiasts and pickup truck enthusiasts alike eagerly await the opportunity to experience the highly anticipated Cybertruck—an electric vehicle that aims to redefine the boundaries of performance, design, and utility in the pickup truck segment.
