The Cybertruck, Tesla’s electric pickup, unveiled nearly four years ago and promised for release in 2021 or 2022, continues to be delayed. While the fact that the car’s “indestructible” glass shattered during the unveiling tends to be the most memorable aspect of that unveiling, the fact that the car continues to delay so long might remain the most memorable thing about this car. Although last year promised mass production starting in 2023, it looks like it won’t be until 2024 that we’ll see the first of these cars on sale.
Cybertruck was originally announced in 2019 for a 2021 launch
Elon Musk revealed in a meeting with Tesla investors that the Cybertruck project will not meet its previously stated goals. Even if the start of production will indeed take place in mid-2023, i.e. the first models will be assembled this year, initial production will be very slow, and it won’t be until 2024 that the Cybertrucks can be mass produced. This suggests that sales of Cybertruck models will actually start next year.
At the same time, the Cybertruck will receive some changes in production from what was originally announced. The model that will come out of the factory will be on the one hand different in terms of specifications and on the other hand will be sold at a different price. Although not confirmed by Musk, he suggests that the car will most likely be more expensive in all variants in which it will be available. The change in specs could have to do with the fact that its dimensions could be reduced, while certain aspects such as the use of screens instead of mirrors could be changed or removed altogether in favour of more traditional solutions, as we’ve seen on recent prototypes of the car.
It appears, however, that the equipment needed for Cybertruck production has begun to be installed in the company’s factories, and most units are expected to be produced in Tesla’s Texas plant.
Although at the time of the original announcement, the Cybertruck was among the only electrically powered pickup trucks, in the meantime, several competing brands have managed to bring competing models to market, some of which are even better than Tesla promised in some respects. Ford launched the F-150 Lightning, General Motors came to market with the Hummer EV, Rivian launched the R1T, and other big-name brands are just getting into this area, with Chevrolet and Dodge announcing electric models of their own pickups.