G. Allan Collins
7/16/23
It’s finally happening, folks! The long-awaited Tesla Cybertruck has officially kicked off production at the shiny new factory in Austin, Texas. Elon Musk, the mastermind behind Tesla, had been dropping hints about the summer production start, and now it’s become a reality. They’ve already crafted a few Cybertrucks by hand, but we’re not sure if the one they showed off recently was made on the actual production line. Exciting times!
Now, let’s talk about the big question on everyone’s mind: how much is this bad boy gonna cost? When Tesla first unveiled the Cybertruck back in 2019, they promised it would be an affordable ride. They tossed around prices like $39,900 for a single-motor version with over 250 miles of range, $49,900 for a dual-motor variant with over 300 miles of range, and $69,900 for a tri-motor beast with a range of over 500 miles. But here’s the thing – those prices and specs mysteriously vanished in October 2021, leaving us in the dark.
Elon Musk blames it on the Cybertruck’s fancy stainless-steel design, saying it’s a pricey feature. Plus, Tesla was counting on some major battery improvements to give the truck impressive range at a low cost. Unfortunately, their 4680 battery cells are facing production constraints, and we’re not sure if all the fancy stuff they promised on Battery Day has actually panned out. Bummer.
Now, don’t expect the Cybertruck to work wonders for Tesla’s sales in 2024. Analysts predict a dip in earnings this year due to some hefty price cuts and discounts, but they’re optimistic about a rebound next year. That’s because the Cybertruck, along with an updated Model 3, are expected to play a big role in Tesla’s growth story. So keep an eye out for that!
While the Cybertruck is likely to be a hit in North America, it’s not the only electric pickup truck in town. Ford’s F-150 Lightning has been cruisin’ the streets for over a year, but its price tag has been creeping up. General Motors also released their flashy Hummer EV at the end of 2021, but it’s still facing limited production. However, GM has promised a more wallet-friendly Chevy Silverado pickup with an impressive range coming next year. And let’s not forget Rivian, who’s ramping up production of their R1T pickup and R1S SUV.
With Tesla’s second-quarter earnings just around the corner, everyone’s eagerly waiting for the earnings call. Investors, analysts, and potential buyers all want the juicy details about the Cybertruck’s pricing, specs, and production timeline. It’s like the Super Bowl of electric pickups, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
