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By now you certainly know the story: In 2019, Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Cyber truck, making all kinds of wonderful guarantees.
That is extra than simply an indulgent flight of fancy: People purchase 2.5 million pickups a 12 months, and the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling car in America for the previous 40 years. The multi-billion greenback query is whether or not Tesla could make a compelling car at a horny value level that pulls in patrons from different pickup producers or EV makers.
Personally, I believe the cyber truck is simply too rattling ugly. I can’t ever think about shopping for one in every of these. It appeared like a vector graphic pulled out of an early Eighties online game. Then once more, I’m not planning for a zombie apocalypse, a bizarre area of interest market the place these may be helpful.
We’ll discover out the main points and specs at 3 pm when the information will get launched. (You’ll be able to comply with the occasion dwell on X).
The problem for this oddly formed pickup truck goes past its appears to be like: The entry-level Ford F150 Lightning (my overview right here) is a number of car for the cash, ranging from $50k (up from $40k) and going as much as the $90k+. On the excessive finish, the Rivian R1T pickup begins pricing at $73k, gives wonderful efficiency and off-road capabilities. Doug Demuro known as the R1T “the best pickup truck ever made.” It has a 400+ mile vary, as much as 750 HP, and does 0-60 in 3.0 seconds.
At a sports activities automobile occasion earlier this 12 months, I spoke with (full-sized conventional) pick-up truck homeowners, one in every of whom known as the Tesla Cyber truck a “Clown Automotive.” (I believe it appears to be like extra prefer it got here out of a online game). My guess is he gained’t be a purchaser.
I believe we’re greatest served by ready to study the ultimate prices, options, and configurations earlier than writing its epitaph. Tesla has virtually 2 million reservations; at $100 every (that’s a number of free cash). And say what you’ll about Musk’s erratic conduct, anti-semitism, and silly private purchases, he’s a troublesome man to wager towards.
We do know that Tesla finds itself within the uncommon place of being method behind the business. The Rivian has been out for two years and the Ford Lightning for over a 12 months. Full manufacturing of the Cyber truck remains to be off in 2024.
When Musk unveiled the Cyber truck, he stated he wished to do one thing completely different. However there’s a idea in product design known as MAYA — Most Superior But Acceptable. Derek Thompson does an exquisite job explaining why most new merchandise — songs, buildings, automobiles, actually something — can solely push the envelope thus far.
It will likely be fascinating to see if this oddly formed pickup finds an viewers past the Tesla devoted. Additionally fascinating is how Tesla will regulate to manufacturing and gross sales challenges.
I’m curious to see what the main points are, even when I’m not the goal demographic or car purchaser for this car out of Battle Zone …
Beforehand:
Rivian R1T Pickup Truck (January 24, 2020)
Ford to Tesla: “We bought it from right here” (June 17, 2022)
See additionally:
2024 Tesla Cybertruck
Eric Stafford, Automotive and Driver
The 4-Letter Code to Promoting Simply About Something
By Derek Thompson
The Atlantic JAN/FEB 2017
The publish “Clown Automotive” appeared first on The Huge Image.
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