Tesla's public Cybertruck event happened before the market disruption and during a different Presidency.
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Tesla's Cybertruck earns outstanding media attention and fan support here and at many leading electric vehicle publications. Some stories even highlight the accessories that owners can purchase for their Cybretruck. The only catch is, there is no Cybertruck.
In the sense that Tesla has a plan to make a truck someday, there is a Cybertruck. In the sense that Tesla has built props of the Cybertruck for display at events and some rolling prototypes, there is a Cybertruck. In the sense that a person wishing to own a Cybertruck someday there is one. There just aren't any Cybertrucks in any owner driveways.
The truck was unveiled in November of 2019. How long ago was that? COVID wasn't a thing yet. Joseph Biden held no public office. The auto industry was going great guns, and dealers had inventory piling up on lots. Nobody had ever heard of Squid Game.
How long is 26 months in the auto industry? It's about half of a product lifecycle or generation, which usually lasts about five years. How long is it in the launch of an imaginary EV? Hard to say.
Edmunds reported this weekend that the Cybertuck is now indefinitely delayed. It's not like the truck was about to show up at Tesla retail locations for a President's Day sale event. It was maybe sorta probably going to start production by "the end of this year." We hear.
Just one month ago Elon Musk Tweeted a reply to a fanblog that the Cybertruck would have a "4 motor variant" when initial production starts. It's been 26 months since the product was revealed and Tesla is only now deciding how many motors it will have?
One recent story suggests that the Cybertuck needs to move over because a better new EV truck is going to replace it. But doesn't it have to first exist before it can be replaced?
Four days ago Fortune published an article titled, "Chevy Silverado or Tesla Cybertruck? These are the electric pickups competing for your wallet." Neither is expected to be available this year. So, how are they competing for my wallet if I can't give the company money from my wallet to give me a truck? And do people who buy futuristic EVs actually carry wallets anymore?
Is the Cybertruck real or is it vaporware? What say you? Tell us in the comments below.
John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin
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Image of Cybertruck Courtesy of Tesla, Inc. Screen shot related to Tesla Cybertruck courtesy of Twitter
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Edmunds is a very biased
Edmunds is a very biased publication with reference to Tesla. As with most automotive publications, they mostly write their articles to serve their advertisers. And Tesla doesn't advertise, so they get slammed regularly like this, with biased articles based on negative rumors and assumptions. The Tesla Texas Gigafactory where the Cybertruck will be built is just about to start production, starting with the refreshed Model Y as planned. With hundreds of thousands of pre-orders for the Cybertruck, you can bet that Tesla will be starting production as soon as possible. The Chevy Silverado won't be out until 2023, and the consumer model EV Silverado is not due until fall of 2023, so the Cybertruck has some time to start production. I figure that Cybertruck production will begin later this year, and that's fine. I suspect that the delay was due to suppliers, as well as issues with ramping up their new 4680 battery production. With all of the delays facing every automaker this year, Tesla has also had to adapt, and needed to focus on their most popular Model 3 and Model Y production first.
On December 15th (less than
On December 15th (less than one month ago), Edmunds announced that the Tesla Model 3 earns its vote as Top Rated EV for 2022. This is the third consecutive year that Edmunds has named Tesla its top-rated EV in America. Our comments section does not support direct links, but you can cut and past the announcement from Edmunds below. https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/tesla-model-3-edmunds-top-rated-ev-2022.html
I have seen this a LOT with
I have seen this a LOT with the media. They are driven by advertising and clicks. So they will praise Tesla when it gets more clicks, and then quickly shoot them down when it gets more clicks. Especially when it can highlight one of their EV advertisers at the same time. Since they never retract or correct false stories, accusations, or implications, it's an easy move for them.
As you know, Torque News has
As you know, Torque News has no advertisers. I can't speak to Edmunds' motivations for their recent story, but in our case, yes, we are motivated by clicks (pageviews actually). Any person who is writing and does not want their work read should just think. It's easier on the hands :)
Yeah, I wasn't really
Yeah, I wasn't really commenting about your story as much as so many biased online/Youtube publishers like Edmunds, Car & Driver, Consumer Reports, Autotempest, and other online publications that get the majority of their revenues from legacy automakers, and none from Tesla. They praise Tesla when that makes them money, and they put Tesla down when that makes them money.
This "Indefinitely Delayed"
This "Indefinitely Delayed" stuff is kind of misleading by you and Edmunds. It's all based off the website no longer estimating production time for new orders. I'm sure it's almost impossible for Tesla to estimate when the 2.5 millionth Cybertruck should reach a customer at this point, because that's close to where they are in pre-orders. It's safe to say if you order a Cybertruck today that you wont get it will 2024 at the earliest, and that assumes half the people pull out of their pre-orders.
I agree that Tesla can’t
I agree that Tesla can’t estimate when the last reservation for. Cybertruck will be delivered.
But when will the first be delivered and when will the final design be unvailed. I really want one and can’t wait to see the production version of the truck.
I’d also like to know where
I’d also like to know where those Slate SolarRoof shingles are that were promised years ago.
For clarification, the
For clarification, the statement that Joseph Biden held no public office is incorrect. He was a US Senator before running for president.
I think you are mistaken,
I think you are mistaken, Luke. Wasn't President Biden a Senator until 2009, then became VP for eight years, then was unemployed for four before being elected President?