For Better or Worse, the Tesla Cybertruck Is Actually in Production
It’s time to crack a bottle of champagne against the side of the Tesla Cybertruck! This highly anticipated electric beast has officially entered production. It’s going against skeptics by actually happening. But is the Tesla Cybertruck rolling off the line too soon? There could be significant issues to correct in Elon Musk’s upcoming electric pickup truck.
Will the Telsa Cybertruck ever enter production?
Yes, the Tesla Cybertruck is actually happening and could be sticking to the schedule this time. Elon Musk shared that Cybertruck production would begin in the summer of 2023, and things are moving here at the end of June.
Reportedly, there are leaked videos and images of the Cybertruck being built in the Texas Gigafactory. It’s pretty cool to see the robots assembling pieces to the frame and bolting things down.
A 9,000-ton Giga Press machine is used to add the battery pack to the frame and diecast aluminum parts for the body. This method saves time and reduces costs. However, we worry about the lack of humans involved in the process for quality control purposes.
Even though Elon Musk’s electric pickup truck made its debut in 2019, it feels a little rushed. Various issues and complaints have been emerging, and the truck was delayed several times.
But maybe the problems were corrected because it’s currently on the path to being available by 2024. Production is also expected to ramp up fully in 2024.
What is responsible for Cybertruck delays?
The Tesla Cybertruck has been delayed for multiple different reasons, from significant engineering issues and simple design changes. For example, Elon Musk didn’t like the giant windshield wiper.
Just a few weeks before production was scheduled to start, the Cybertruck and its massive windshield wiper were spotted in testing. This may indicate that the wiper will be included in the production model, but it might be able to hide in a panel at the end of the hood.
Also, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and supply chain issues wrecked the supply chain with limited supplies and product delays. It doesn’t help that the Cybertruck has an exoskeleton comprised of stainless steel.
Stainless steel is more reliable than regular steel because it has chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and other metals. Plus, it’s more resistant to corrosion and dents. But it’s heavy and could weigh up to 10,000 lbs and the additional metals are in high demand in the tech industry.
Engineers shared that Alpha, the preproduction model struggles with serious steering, shaking, body roll, and leaking. It isn’t safe enough for public roads, but maybe engineers were able to correct everything in the past 18 months.
How much does the Cybertruck cost?
In 2019, the Telsa Cybertruck was expected to start at $40,000 without a price lock guarantee, and tons of changes have been made since then. The unit with one motor and RWD could start at $50,000. We wouldn’t be surprised if the prices start higher.
We’ve been watching other electric pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevy Silverado EV climb in price over the past few years. Inflation seems to be driving up the cost of precious metals for batteries and other necessary components.
Tesla claims there are over 1.5 million preorders for the Cybertruck and expects to produce 375,000 models in 2024. That could leave you waiting for a few more years, and that’s if things go according to plan.
The Tesla Cybertruck release date has been up in the air for some time and it could face more supply chain challenges, production issues, and recalls. But ready or not, here it comes. Eventually.
