The Ford F-150 Lightning Does Not Represent A Missed Opportunity For Tesla

There have been some who think that the new Ford F-150 Lightning shows a missed opportunity for Tesla. This train of thought doesn’t take into account why vehicles like the Cybertruck are produced to begin with.

The Ford F150 Lightning has been in the news a lot lately. An article from earlier this week compared the specs of the Ford-150 Lightning to the specs of the Tesla Cybertruck. Both trucks have impressive specs and have a starting price that's just under $40,000. However, some people have said on twitter that they believe that the F-150 Lightning represents a missed opportunity for Tesla.

The argument that Tesla missed an opportunity

There is the opinion that is circulating that Tesla should have made a more "normal" looking truck, and not a bullet proof steel rover that belongs on Mars. They say there’s a market for a more normal looking truck. One of the only concerns about the Cybertruck as of late has been the rising prices of steel.

Why Tesla didn’t miss an opportunity

Tesla didn’t miss an opportunity by deciding to build a truck that looks different from the rest. Not every car brand should be building cars that look the same as the other brands. This is part of the problem with modern automobiles. The Cybertruck will sell a lot of units and may even attract a demographic of buyers that is somewhat similar to the buyers who will purchase an F-150 Lightning. This does remain to seen though. Many buyers see the Cybertruck as more than a pickup. They see it as a vehicle for everything. That sentiment can be backed up by the fact the Cybertruck can thrive at the campsite, or roll effortlessly down the tight streets of New York City.

Tesla still has an opportunity

In the first tweet, the author of the tweet proves their own point. Tesla can still produce a “normal” pickup alongside the Cybertruck. At the rate Tesla is growing, they will have many more Models that come out within the next few years. If Tesla eventually had two electric pickups to choose from, it would only help the brand. If gas prices keep increasing, then demand for electric pickups could increase. Many buyers who hardly ever haul anything have flocked to the pickup market in recent years due to the fact they sit higher up and are more practical. This is not a trend that will be easily reversed.

Tesla is smart to wait

If Tesla were to come out with an electric pickup now, it may be even more so in competition with the Ford pickup. The Cybertruck is somewhat similar to the F-150 Lightning on paper even though they both look very different.

Why Elon Musk might be hesitant to build a normal pickup

Musk might be hesitant to build another pickup for a couple reasons. One reason is that it might not be good in a financial or practical sense for the Tesla brand. The second reason is that Tesla might not want to build a “normal pickup”. For example, the Model X doesn’t look that much like a typical SUV or crossover, but the Cybertruck is much more unusual.

What Tesla could do

Tesla could decide to build a second pickup that is more geared toward towing and hauling, but that might not make sense for the reasons outlined above. The Cybertruck can tow between 7,500lbs and 14,000lbs. That is a lot it of weight, and the Cybertruck can more than hold its own against almost any pickup. It just happens to look different.

Image:Tesla

Daniel Cappo reports Tesla developments at Torque News. He has had a passion for cars ever since age five when his grandparents let him drive their old golf cart around their property in Upstate NY. He has attended numerous auto shows, and even got the chance to drive a Ferrari California on the track. Ever since Tesla opened up a dealership at his local mall, he's been an avid follower of their cars and technology. Dan has a B.S. in Public Communication from U Vermont. Follow Daniel on Twitter and LinkedIn for daily Tesla News.