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There’s two resources I refer to regularly as “go to” experts on EVs and pickup trucks. InsideEVs.com is a tremendous resource for all things related to electrified vehicles. Likewise, my friends at pickuptrucktalk.com provide great resources, content and knowledge from the truck consumer standpoint.
Be sure to check out their popular YouTube Channel, Pickup Truck + SUV Talk.
Why all the name dropping and accolades for other media outlets? Well, both resources covered the brewing rivalry between Ford and Tesla in their own way and it got me thinking. Tesla is the disruptive force on the automotive industry, with the brazen, bold owner in Elon Musk grabbing all the headlines.
Musk is cool and hip and thumbs his nose at the auto industry. I kind of dig that. He has raised the bar and moved the envelope and all automakers, Ford included, have been impacted by it. That is a good thing and a win for the consumer.be
Ford has done a great job of reacting to Tesla. They’ll claim they aren’t paying attention to the competition and just doing their own thing. But I don’t believe that.
Recently InsideEVs.com ran with a leaked document showcasing pricing of the upcoming Ford F-150 Lightning. That document, pictured below, showed that the “real” price of the F-150 Lightning increased a lot. As InsideEVs.com reported, if the price chart is true, it means the F-150 Lightning will be much higher priced than the Tesla Cybertruck.
But is this really true?
Related story: Comparing specs of F-150 Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck.
Tesla Cybertruck vs. Ford F-150 Lightning
If I’m being honest, comparing these two EV trucks is silly. There won’t be many Blue Oval fans, let alone F-150 buyers, crossing over to buy the Tesla Cybertruck. But could there be Tesla fans crossing over to buy the F-150 Lightning? Maybe but also unlikely.
My Torque News colleague Marc Stern reported that Ford had hit the 100,000-reservation mark for the Lightning. This requires putting down a $100 refundable deposit. It’s a low-risk proposition, but still is an impressive number for Ford.
Meanwhile, Tesla, not to be outdone, claims they have 1 million reservations for the Cybertruck. This is an absurd number that will not come to fruition. There are three motor variants for the Cybertruck including single motor, dual motor and tri-motor. Of the alleged one million reservations only 7.5% are for the single motor with the remaining orders being for the dual or tri motor. That means those most interested want maximum range (which is understandable).
Related story: Does Ford have a battery advantage over Tesla?
Ford offers all trims of the F-150 Lightning in extended range battery. So when trying to compare prices and release dates you have to take all of that information into account. And frankly it can be quite confusing and overwhelming.
Thus it’s inaccurate and disingenuous to proclaim one more expensive than the other as both EV truck makers will go to their least-expensive truck and tout that number. When in reality, the average truck buyer (both Ford and Tesla) will want more range and will want nicer touches.
As my friend Jill Ciminillo pointed out in her piece at pickuptrucktalk.com Tesla no longer qualifies for the Federal Tax credit that Ford EV buyers do. That is a difference maker, in my opinion. Thus, Jill extrapolated that an F-150 Lighting XLT (with dual motor which is standard) with AWD after the tax credit came to $53,174. Compare that to the dual-motor Cybertruck which has a price of $49,900 and the two trucks are similarly priced.
It’s more likely that the F-150 Lighting XLT with dual motor will be ready to purchase and drive away before the dual-motor Cybertruck.
F-150 Lightning Production versus Tesla Cybertruck
The term vaporware commonly refers to a program, software or even a hardware that is designed from a concept standpoint, but is not yet ready, with no clear timeframe.
I often call the Cybertruck vaporware. Musk has touted the truck much longer than Ford has touted the Lighting but has yet to release a firm release date for the 1 million orders that are allegedly on the books.
Both Ford and Tesla have committed big dollars to creating new manufacturing facilities devoted to their electric trucks. Tesla’s Giga Factory in Austin, Texas is where the Cybertruck will be built. Meanwhile Ford invested $700 million to create the Rouge Electric factory next door to their historic Rouge manufacturing facility. The Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center will produce the F-150 Lightning and is scheduled to be completed late this year with preparation for the all-electric F-150 coming to market in spring of 2022.
If that holds true, Ford will most assuredly beat Tesla to market on their EV pickup. We reported on a letter sent out to some Cybertruck reservation holders indicating production slated to begin in late 2021. However, with Giga Austin not ready this seems highly unlikely. And, according to that same story here at Torque News, it appears that this production is only for the single-motor version of the Cybertruck, which accounts for a small number reservations and would fall short of the dual-motor production for the F-150 Lightning.
Related story: The F-150 Lightning is not a missed opportunity for Tesla.
Final conclusion
Rivalry is good. The consumer wins when markets are full of rivalries. That will play out in the EV truck world too. The rivalry between Ford and Tesla seems silly and unnecessary. The Tesla loyalists will stand by the Cybertruck. The Ford loyalists will mock the Cybertruck’s goofy, strange and quirky looks (and for good reason).
In the end, trying to gather rumors and extrapolate information (or misinformation) leads us to wonder which truck will be more popular. That’s impossible to guess.
I get asked a lot about the F-150 Lightning versus the Cybertruck. Which will be better? It is subjective of course. But I usually answer this way: Between Ford and Tesla, which knows how to make trucks and which knows how to churn out internet hype? That’s the difference in the end and the one big difference between the two truck manufacturers. Ford has dominated truck manufacturing for decades and Tesla is still building their first truck manufacturing facility.
Be sure to see part 2 of this discussion where I showcase what a Ford and Tesla collaboration could look like.
Leave me your comments on these two EV trucks. Be sure to check out the follow up story here, where Elon Musk hints that the Cybertruck could be a bust.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
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Comments
Jimmy you are clearly bias
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In reply to The one and only thing that by Jimmy Dinsmore
Jimmy you are clearly bias and never meant to write an objective piece. That being said with the Cybertruck beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder and you are entitled to your opinion. I personally think the Cybertruck looks badass. Like something the terminator would drive in the future. They could have made an electric truck that looks like every other truck I guess. But I for one am glad they didn’t.
Ridiculous? That is a
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In reply to The one and only thing that by Jimmy Dinsmore
Ridiculous? That is a completely subjective and asinine comment to make. I guarantee you I drive several vehicle that are significantly "sexier" than anything you own. (Cadillac Platinum Escalade and 2 Indian Chief motorcycles) I bought the CT because I think it looks fantastic (to me) and once again, pushes the boundaries of design and flow. The Hummer is probably as close to boundary pushing as I have seen in the past 30 years and if it wasn't such a gas pig would have been a vehicle that interested me.
If Tesla's fit and finish is
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In reply to So...what's the big advantage by Mike (not verified)
If Tesla's fit and finish is anything like their cars, I'll take the Ford any day of the week!
Everyone seems to have missed
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In reply to So...what's the big advantage by Mike (not verified)
Everyone seems to have missed the part where the lightning's numbers are based on 1000lbs load. So we might actually find out that Tesla's numbers end up being neck and neck.
Did you actually read what
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In reply to So...what's the big advantage by Mike (not verified)
Did you actually read what you wrote? Wow, that's a painful analysis. Ford is going to embarrass Tesla when it comes to making their first truck....ever. Don't kid yourself....Ford isn't taking their first F150 lightly and it has been in the works for several years now. Ford will be better for actually working, towing, payload, camping, powering construction sites, backup power for homes. Tesla hasn't even mentioned anything about having multiple plugs including 240 volt capability for camping and construction. They also haven't offered the ability to automatically switch into backup power mode like Ford has announced. Ford is going to kill Tesla when it comes to interior and overall useful features because they've been dominating the planet in the truck market forever. I do like Tesla and respect where they've come from but I decided to put my money on Ford when it comes to making the first successful electric truck. I also like the fact I can drive 5 kms down the road to my Dealer if I have any problems or need anything. Will Tesla be able to charge a little faster? Yeah, but who cares. I'll be charging in my garage 99.9% of the time anyway.
F-150’s range is problematic
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F-150’s range is problematic for many people though - particularly if you’re towing. And slow charge rate, and lower payload and towing capacity. The negatives do start to add up when you compare side-by-side.
Then there’s the other features off-road drivers lust after - massive 16”ground clearance and huge 35” wheels, adaptive air suspension with massive “Baja-class” wheel articulation, scratch-proof, dent-proof, rust proof bullet-proof body and armour glass, completely flat armoured underbody, partial amphibious capability with water propulsion via wheel spin, etc.
The F-150 is still a great effort though and should get many willing takers who prefer (traditional) looks over features or need a cab-chassis design for alternate rear bodies.
In my case, I’ve grown to love the Apocalyptic Lamborghini/Blade Runner aesthetic. :-)
The range on the Lightning is
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In reply to F-150’s range is problematic by Rocwurst (not verified)
The range on the Lightning is problematic. I said that on my initial story. I was hoping for 500 miles of range and was let down to hear 300 max.
Guess you didn't hear that
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In reply to The range on the Lightning is by Jimmy Dinsmore
Guess you didn't hear that the 300 miles is ultra conservative and is rated with 1000 lbs in the bed. You can watch a Youtube review where he started at 80% charge and had 380 miles. Keep in mind Telsa is known for over promising and under delivering especially on range and vehicle production dates.
Well there's the fact that
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Well there's the fact that Ford actually knows how to make a pickup truck. That's worth a lot more than elons babble.
The reality is that the
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The reality is that the Cybertruck is going to make the Ford truck look like a joke. Tesla is making a superior exoskeleton for the Cybertruck, which is loaded up with superior electric motors and superior battery technology. And the icing on the cake will be the software. In the world of software, Tesla has already hit the moon, and Ford is in 1995.
You are biased and nuts if
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You are biased and nuts if you think a company that has never mass produced (yet) an electric anything is gonna beat Tesla to the market. The headline is pure click bait and then only reason you got me here. Column is pure deadwood. Fool me once
Honestly I prefer the CT. But
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Honestly I prefer the CT. But.. it will take 3+ years to get through those reservations so I'm probably going with lightning which I reserved. The tax credit is a huge plus to me and I can't wait another 3 years for an ev.
I don't know if it'll take 3
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I don't know if it'll take 3 years to get one without a reservation. On the Model 3, I put the 1k down on the opening day of reservations. I was able to buy my car on 7/1/18. In less than a year, people were able to buy one even without the reservation. If you are looking for the tri-motor configuration, you'll probably be able to get one soo er as many of the people want the cheaper version.
IF, and that's a big IF,
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In reply to I don't know if it'll take 3 by Spencer (not verified)
IF, and that's a big IF, there really are 1 million orders for the CT it will take them 10 years to fulfill that. Do we know what the capacity will be at Giga Austin? As I say, it's very, very hard to manufacture in mass, vehicles. Ford, GM and others know this. They've had decades to streamline it. Tesla has not.
One of the most obviously
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One of the most obviously biased articles I've read, with blatant contradictions. "Rivalry is good. The consumer wins when markets are full of rivalries." "The rivalry between Ford and Tesla seems silly and unnecessary." Which is it? Good, or silly and unnecessary? Even the titles of the books you co-authored indicate you are a Ford fanboy.
It's funny, Ford has not been
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In reply to One of the most obviously by Tony Bales (not verified)
It's funny, Ford has not been happy with many things I've written. I just call it like I see it. And that rivalry comment might look contradictory, but what it means is, there's no reason for the rivalry. The competition is good. Tesla can challenge Ford and push them out of their comfort zone and vice versa.
What no one talks about is
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What no one talks about is the form factor of the CT. It's sidewalls that slope from cab to tailgate are a deal braker for anyone who uses their truck bed for work. It makes it impossible to load tools/supplies up near the cab over the sidewall. A contemporary truck bed has a specific form factor that follows it's function.
The Ford will be built on a standard frame and should be able to accept standard flat beds/refrigeration/tool storage beds. These are all important functions of current f150 customers.
Most CT buyers will be happy with them as pavement princesses, off road toys and for small projects. Many will be first time PU buyers. Very different vehicles.
P.S. Total Tesla fanboy here. I just know the CT wouldn't be able to replace my current work truck, The Ford could.
What no one talks about is
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What no one talks about is the form factor of the CT. It's sidewalls that slope from cab to tailgate are a deal braker for anyone who uses their truck bed for work. It makes it impossible to load tools/supplies up near the cab over the sidewall. A contemporary truck bed has a specific form factor that follows it's function.
The Ford will be built on a standard frame and should be able to accept standard flat beds/refrigeration/tool storage beds. These are all important functions of current f150 customers.
Most CT buyers will be happy with them as pavement princesses, off road toys and for small projects. Many will be first time PU buyers. Very different vehicles.
P.S. Total Tesla fanboy here. I just know the CT wouldn't be able to replace my current work truck, The Ford could.
I will never be convinced
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In reply to What no one talks about is by Snack (not verified)
I will never be convinced that that goofy styling of the CT is practical or that 1 million people will feel good driving around it.
Ford has been making plenty
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Ford has been making plenty of trucks for many years but in my experiences they are all high priced garbage compared to what they used to build. I've lost all my faith in ford products. They don't even back up the shit they sell now. My 2008 went through three transmissions and two motors in the last two years and it had less then 175000 miles on it. This new electric truck probably won't make it out of the garage.
To reach the veracity of the
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To reach the veracity of the comparison, we must go back to the future to realize their fundamental corporate's ideology and consequence production. Ford has been trying to make their EV to look and feel like normal cars. Tesla has been in the cutting edge frontier in nearly every which way of their conducts.
Two clearly different approaches, two different types of clientele. The end question is what kind of silly people to want to have new technologies inside the old clothing, and to disdain the opportunity for new ideas, new chance for the betterment of mankind and its environment.
Good point and kind of deep.
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In reply to To reach the veracity of the by schinud omsub (not verified)
Good point and kind of deep. Thanks for the insight.
Here's a link to my follow up
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Here's a link to my follow up story: https://www.torquenews.com/9539/elon-musk-says-cybertruck-could-be-bust-now-time-ford-double-down-f-150-lightning
Well, well, well, it looks
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Well, well, well, it looks like a bunch of you Tesla sychophants have tp eat some crow as now Tesla has removed the Cybertruck from their website without any pricing or motor options. It's vaporware that's vaporizing. And you all got taken. Hook, line and sinker. Meanwhile Rivian is out. Ford is making the Lightning. Where's the Cybertruck? There's a sucker born every minute.