Tesla Cybertruck

## Tesla Cybertuck

From 2012 to 2013, Elon Musk discussed his desire to build a truck, making comparisons with a Ford F-250. In early 2014 Musk predicted 4–5 years before work could start on the product.

In mid-2016, Musk outlined his goals for a consumer pickup truck. He suggested using the same chassis for a van and a pickup truck. During the Tesla Semi and Tesla Roadster unveiling in November 2017, a picture of a "pickup truck that can carry a pickup truck" was displayed.

In late 2018, Musk talked of showing a prototype in 2019. In March 2019, following the Tesla Model Y launch, Musk distributed a teaser image of a vehicle described as having a cyberpunk or *Blade Runner* style, with the form resembling a futuristic armored personnel carrier. It was rumored to be named the *Model B*.

### Unveiling

The concept Cybertruck was unveiled at the Tesla Design Studio in Los Angeles on November 21, 2019—the same month, year and location that the movie *Blade Runner* was set. The truck was launched under a graffiti-themed logo of "Cybertruck".

During the unveiling, Tesla claimed that the Cybertruck's "Armor Glass" windows were virtually unbreakable, but two windows shattered when Franz von Holzhausen threw a metal ball at each of them. Musk later claimed that the windows were damaged because, in an earlier demonstration, the door was hit by a sledgehammer that cracked the base of the glass. In mid-2019, the towing capacity of the vehicle was stated to meet or exceed that of a Ford F-150. Tesla released a video of Cybertruck pulling a rear-wheel-drive Ford F-150 uphill in a tug of war. News outlets pointed out this was due to Cybertruck's heavier weight.

Tesla's stated goal was to provide a sustainable energy substitute for the roughly 6,500 fossil-fuel-powered trucks sold per day in the United States.

At the end of the presentation, the Tesla Cyberquad, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), was driven onto the bed of the Cybertruck using built-in ramps in the tailgate. The Cyberquad was plugged into the Cybertruck's onboard power outlet to charge its batteries. The ATV was to be available for sale as a Cybertruck option.

Many social media commentators criticized the sharp contours and unusual exterior. Tesla, Inc. stock declined 6% following the announcement. The prototype was exhibited at the Petersen Automotive Museum in June 2020 and returned in November 2022.

### Reservation

Beginning in November 2019, Tesla accepted Cybertruck reservations with a US$100 deposit. On November 23, 2019, Musk tweeted that Tesla had received 146,000 reservations in the first 1.5 days after the unveiling. Musk updated the number of preorders to 250,000 on November 26.

In January 2020, *Automobile Magazine* named Cybertruck the "Concept Car of the Year" for 2019.

In October 2021, Tesla removed the Cybertruck's pricing and specifications from its website without explanation, while still accepting deposits. An updated prototype was spotted undergoing testing in December 2021. The newer prototype could be distinguished from the original (2019) by the presence of a large windshield wiper and the omission of the truck's front light bar.

At the 2022 Annual Shareholders meeting, in response to a question, Elon Musk stated that final specifications and pricing would be materially different from those unveiled on the concept vehicle in 2019.

Preorders were temporarily shut down prior to the delivery event on November 30, 2023. Since the official delivery event, the price for a deposit is now $250.