Elon Musk's Cybertruck comment on Monday morning sparked paradox and active debate about the following four questions that are closely related to the truck’s imminent pricing announcement.
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On the one hand, Musk called the Ford F-150 Lightning "expensive" even after it had a $10,000 price drop. This suggests that the Cybertruck, which has not yet been priced, will be even cheaper than the Lightning. On the other hand, some commenters believe that Musk's comment was actually a hint that the Cybertruck will be more expensive than the Lightning.
Here are those four questions, which I will ask here for you to consider, and comment below, but I will answer them in this report as well.
1. Do you expect Cybertruck to be cheaper than the Ford F-150 Lightning?
2. Will the base model of the Cybertruck be available at launch?
3. How does Ford's decision to lower prices impact its inventory and cash flow?
4. What are the expectations for Cybertruck's pricing and features?
When I reported the previous video about Elon Musk’s Ford F-150 Lightning comment, which I thought was a subtle hint to Cybertruck’s pricing, you guys commented under the video and I noted from your comments that some of you believe that Musk's comment is a clear indication that the Cybertruck will be priced lower than the Lightning. Others believe that the Cybertruck will be priced similarly to the Lightning, or even higher. Before I get to those four questions, let me tell you this. By the way, we also saw the first production Cybertruck exiting Giga Texas, yesterday, with a license plate.
There are a number of factors that could affect the price of the Cybertruck. These factors include the cost of materials, the cost of production, and the demand for the truck.
The cost of materials for the Cybertruck is likely to be higher than the cost of materials for the Lightning. This is because the Cybertruck is made from stainless steel, which is a more expensive material than aluminum.
The cost of production for the Cybertruck is also likely to be higher than the cost of production for the Lightning. This is because the Cybertruck is a more complex vehicle to produce.
The demand for the Cybertruck is also a factor that could affect the price. If there is high demand for the truck, Tesla may be able to charge a higher price.
Ultimately, the price of the Cybertruck will not be known until it is released. However, the debate about the price of the truck is sure to continue until then.
So let me address those four questions and provide their answers.
1. Do you expect Cybertruck to be cheaper than the Ford F-150 Lightning?
Answer: Many commenters believe that the Cybertruck will be priced lower than the Ford F-150 Lightning, citing factors such as battery technology, production methods, and the potential for Tesla to surprise everyone with a lower price.
2. Will the base model of the Cybertruck be available at launch?
Answer: Commenters speculate that the cheapest model of the Cybertruck may not be available at launch but possibly by mid-2024, given the contributing factors such as battery and assembly time.
3. How does Ford's decision to lower prices impact its inventory and cash flow?
Answer: Ford's decision to lower prices is seen as a strategy to increase cash flow and sell its current inventory. However, it is noted that Ford reports over 100 days of F-150 Lightning inventory, indicating the need to sell existing stock before the competition intensifies.
4. What are the expectations for Cybertruck's pricing and features?
Answer: Commenters express varying opinions on Cybertruck's pricing and features. Some believe it will offer more interior and exterior space compared to the Ford F-150 Lightning, while others anticipate different motor variants at different price points, ranging from $30,000 to $89,999. I personally don't believe the Cybertruck will start at $30,000.
Do you guys agree with these thoughts? You know, you had some very interesting opinions in the previous video on this subject.
EnriqueThiele, points out that the battery technology and assembly process of the Cybertruck could potentially lead to a lower price, especially for the basic model. However, he suggests that the cheapest model may not be available at the truck's launch, possibly arriving in mid-2024. EnriqueThiele also notes that Ford's decision to lower prices has increased their losses but aims to improve cash flow and sell their current inventory.
Another commenter, johncahill3644, believes that Musk's comment about the Ford F-150 Lightning being expensive indicates that the Cybertruck will be priced lower than its competitor. This notion causes confusion for Mephistopheles13, who expresses surprise and seeks clarification on Musk's statement.
The potential for the Cybertruck's lower pricing is further emphasized by mikehuesser1058. He suggests that Tesla's battery technology and production methods could allow for a pleasantly surprising price tag, given the high margins of Tesla's other models like the Model 3 and Model Y. However, he acknowledges that Tesla's stock has seen significant appreciation, implying a need to adjust to higher prices.
Commenter tdrake59 sheds light on Ford's current inventory situation, reporting over 100 days' worth of F-150 Lightning trucks in stock. This observation leads to the conclusion that Ford needs to sell their existing production before facing intensified competition.
Comparing the Cybertruck to the Ford F-150 Lightning, user altkoin highlights the potential advantages of the Cybertruck's larger interior and exterior space, as well as faster charging capabilities with Tesla's 4680 batteries. On the other hand, QuiLe-qw5jb suggests that Ford's recent price cut may not be enough if the Cybertruck proves to be superior.
As the discussion continues, the uncertainty surrounding Cybertruck's release in right-hand drive markets is raised by user glassdomedesign. Despite the impractical size of the Cybertruck for the UK, they express their interest in purchasing one, believing it to be the best utility vehicle ever.
BlackstonianTRD eagerly awaits the release of the Cybertruck, claiming it to be a better value for the money. Meanwhile, ericdelevinquiere9902, having previously owned multiple F-150 trucks, shows his enthusiasm for the Cybertruck and his lack of interest in the old model.
Amidst the discussion, ApteraEV2024 brings up the pricing tiers of the Cybertruck, listing single-motor, dual-motor, tri-motor, and quad-motor variants. This leads to a playful conversation about the potential configurations and their corresponding prices.
Highlyskeptical expresses interest in purchasing the least expensive version of the Cybertruck with dual motors, expecting it to be around $50,000. This commenter suggests that Ford's real money-maker is Full Self-Driving (FSD) rather than the physical truck itself, implying that Tesla's FSD technology holds great value.
Shephusted2714 takes a critical stance, anticipating the Cybertruck to be a fascinating but potentially flawed product, contrasting it with the semis, which they believe to be a good product that Tesla has struggled to execute effectively.
EnriqueThiele returns to the conversation, providing additional insights into the price dynamics. Adjusted for inflation, he calculates that $39,900 would amount to approximately $47,668.53. EnriqueThiele also considers added features and the change from safety glass to transparent aluminum, suggesting that the most basic model of the Cybertruck could reach close to $50,000 and might not be available until 2024.
The sentiment of some commenters, like joeo7257 and Model3dude, reflects a weariness with Tesla's lack of specific information about the Cybertruck's price and specifications, urging the company to provide more details.
As the discussion draws to a close, Soho33 expresses a preference for the Ford Raptor over the Cybertruck due to the latter's added cost for the rear wheels that move. However, many commenters still hold high hopes for the Cybertruck, emphasizing its potential value for the price.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin, and Youtube.
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