On November 21, 2019, Elon Musk debuted the Cybertruck at Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne, California. The spectacular success of the Tesla Model X This EV was lauded for its super cool, out-there design and impressive functionalities. At 6 feet wide and 18 feet long, the Cybertruck weighs roughly the same as a ton of bricks. Its audacious commitments and imaginative layout didn’t disappoint, scorching to an early lead.
The vehicle features bulletproof, bioweapons-resistant designs, eschewing the typical luxury aesthetic to appeal to a consumer base looking for a tank-like personal transport. Tesla soon accumulated nearly 2 million preorders in the weeks following Musk’s unveiling. Enthusiastic customers flooded the gates by committing $100 deposits to guarantee their shot at owning one of these exclusive trucks. Despite all the fanfare, the Cybertruck is already in a deep hole in the worldwide arena. It is already banned in the UK, EU, and China, the world’s largest EV market.
As production timelines have continued to adjust, the base price of the Cybertruck has bloated to $99,000. The steep increase has alarmed shoppers across the board. Lots of other folks to his left are now asking if this vehicle can actually provide on this glorious marketing promise.
The Cybertruck’s design certainly hasn’t been devoid of controversy. During its first ever demonstration, Musk apparently wanted to show off the strength of the windows. They broke—quite literally—on stage. This unfortunate occurrence quickly became the focal point of the discussion, calling into question the supposed ruggedness of the truck that was being advertised.
Beyond its advertised purposes, the Cybertruck has already become a catalyst for TikTok-er’s content, culture war debates, and viral campaigns. An unnamed California police department has dropped more than $153,000 on a Cybertruck in order to help strengthen community outreach initiatives. It has allowed the app to be used as a canvas for highly visible political protests against Musk himself.
Even more worrisome is the fact that these concerns about safety and technology have reared their heads again. USC basketball recruit Alijah Arenas wrecked his new Cybertruck in LA. He ended up crashing into a fire hydrant and was critically injured. Further, critics lament that the Cybertruck’s advanced electronics may leave it susceptible to hacking or tampering from Tesla’s leadership.
The vehicle’s non-traditional design comes with its own set of challenges too. The doors don’t even have outside door handles, prompting many potential users to doubt the usability of the design. Pulitzer Prize-winning car critic Dan Neil shared his experience test-driving the Cybertruck with his daughter, recalling that they slid off a hill during their ride.
Though these failures clearly sapped its strength, the Cybertruck is fully within the technical realm of a class three and class four trail capable vehicle. Many remain skeptical about its potential to stand up to real-world conditions. Daisy Luther, a commentator on survivalist technology, expressed skepticism about the reliance on complex electronics in vehicles designed for apocalyptic scenarios.
“I generally recommend that if someone is getting a vehicle to last them through some kind of apocalyptic situation that it have as few computer chips and electronics as possible.” – Daisy Luther
This sentiment is echoed by many who are wary of big tech’s solutions to our uncertain future. Arthur Bradley, a survivalist expert, remarked on the Cybertruck’s potential resilience against small arms fire but expressed doubts about its long-term functionality and appeal.
“There’s no doubt it’s a heavy-duty vehicle that can take some punishment, even from small arms fire.” – Arthur Bradley
Some people have pointed out that Musk’s marketing strategy took a hard turn when environmentalists were the first to start speaking out against him. As noted by Simone Giertz, this is the moment that Musk turned to the preppers and survivalists interested in self-sufficiency and…
“It’s interesting because when the environmentalists turned on Elon, he immediately pivoted to another target group: the preppers who want to be self-sufficient.” – Simone Giertz
With many critics claiming that this strategic pivot won’t be able to keep interest in the Cybertruck alive as concern over its supposed practicality grows. Notably, Benoit commented on Tesla’s current trajectory.
“It’s really interesting to see how far Tesla has fallen.” – Benoit
Given mixed reviews and divided expectations on its future, we’ve asked some experts including Bradley to weigh in on what’s in store for the Cybertruck line.
“My guess is this incarnation of the Cybertruck has a very limited life.” – Arthur Bradley
Conversations around what could succeed the current model are already happening. Many are hoping that future versions will have a more classic look.
“I think there will be another Cybertruck, but it will probably be more modern-looking – like a regular pickup truck.” – Arthur Bradley
As the vehicle defies expectations and keeps making headlines, market analysts have started to warn that competitors are starting to salivate. Then there’s Rivian and other new entrants, who will have a chance to capitalize on Tesla’s mistakes to win over consumers.
“What a dream marketing opportunity for Rivian.” – Simone Giertz