In the past year, Tesla has adopted a much more assertive advertisement strategy. In line with this change, Tesla has posted a new commercial video showing a Ford F-150 stranded by the roadside requiring charging assistance from a Tesla Cybertruck.
As a pioneer in the electric vehicle space, Tesla rarely has to compete with other EV makers to sell its vehicles.
When Tesla released the first generation Roadster, that was the only high-performance all-electric sports car. When Tesla released the Model S, Tesla was the first company to release a compelling all-electric 4-door sedan.
When Tesla released the Model X, the vehicle was the only all-electric mid-sized SUV in the market. When Tesla released the Model 3, the vehicle was the only aesthetically pleasing mass-market electric vehicle.
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I hope by now you get the point. Whenever Tesla ventures into a new vehicle segment, the EV maker is usually the first company to do so and after Tesla starts selling its vehicles, the EV maker dominates the segment and never looks back.
However, with the 2-year delay Tesla experienced before launching the Cybertruck, in the truck market, Tesla is not the first company to venture into the all-electric truck market. Not only that but there were already 4 compelling EV trucks before Tesla launched the Cybertruck.
The Ford F-150 Ligthning, the Rivian R1T, the Hummer EV, and the Silverado EV are all compelling electric trucks with comparable specs and starting prices to the Tesla Cybertruck.
So how does Tesla handle being a late electric vehicle entrant into a new vehicle segment? To our surprise, Tesla has decided the right strategy is to take the fight directly to the EV competition.
As I have already mentioned, usually let alone compare itself against other EV makers, Tesla doesn’t even acknowledge any other EVs outside the company’s own vehicles exist.
However, with the rise of other compelling EVs from competing automakers, and Tesla’s increasing emphasis on advertising, the EV maker has decided to knock down the EV competition.
In the company's latest Cybertruck commercial, Tesla highlights the truck’s vehicle-to-grid charging capability showing that the Cybertruck is able to provide backup power to an average US home for 3 days.
Tesla also highlights the onboard 120v and 240v outlets that can output more than 9KW power. Tesla shows people using this capability to power welding machines, job sites, or even impromptu parties with DJ equipment and large speakers.
This is all regular Tesla Cybertruck promotional material however, one newly added segment shows a Cybertruck using its outlets to charge a Ford F-150 Lightning.
Tesla doesn’t explicitly claim the F-150 Lightning is run out of battery and needs a Cybertruck to keep driving, however, the placement of the ad in the middle of nowhere and the Cybertruck driving up to an F-150 Lightning already parked by the roadside and receiving charge all but suggests to the viewer that the Ford F-150 Ligthning is an inferior product than the Cybertruck.
This is all good and fun, however, what’s interesting here is that the Cybertruck doesn’t have a better range than the F-150 Lightning. Maybe in the fictional setup, the F-150 Lightning ran out of battery after going to a broken Electrify America charger.
Currently, this is only one of the first examples we’ve of Tesla’s new much more assertive advertising strategy. However, we’ll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more about Tesla’s plans. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.
So what do you think? Do you support Tesla’s more assertive advertisement strategy of late? Or do you think the EV maker should take it down a notch when it comes to other EVs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla Cybertruck Official X Page
For more information check out: First Person to Camp Overnight Inside a Tesla Cybertruck Reveals Why the Cybertruck is the Worst Tesla to Sleep In
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.