Cybertruck: Tesla's entry into the luxury pickup market

Tesla Inc. has delivered the first Cybertrucks after years of delays in development and manufacturing issues.

On November 30, Tesla CEO Elon Musk handed over the initial Cybertrucks. During the delivery, Tesla provided an update on prices and specifications, projecting that the base variant will cost $60,990, exceeding by over 50% the most affordable option presented four years ago, and will be available until 2025. With this new vehicle, Tesla Inc. ventures into the luxury and highly competitive pickup truck market in the United States.

The company is currently accepting reservations for this model and two additional configurations set to launch next year, with estimated prices between $60,999 and $99,990. The most affordable version of the Cybertruck, features a rear-wheel drive and a single motor, with a range of 250 miles and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The version with the longest range currently has the capacity to cover approximately 340 miles on a single charge.

As for the third option, known as Cyberbeast, it will be equipped with three motors generating 845 horsepower, achieving an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h. The Cyberbeast has an estimated range of 320 miles, with a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds.

When Tesla started accepting deposits for the Cybertruck in 2019, it marketed an initial price of $39,900 for a single-motor version with over 500 miles of range for a three-motor configuration. The high-end version of Tesla’s pickup, the Cyberbeast, is expected to be priced at $99,000.

During the delivery event, Musk focused primarily on highlighting the virtues of the Cybertruck, in contrast to the manufacturing challenges. Large vehicles often require more power and, consequently, a greater amount of materials for batteries, increasing their environmental cost.

Various individuals have suggested that the automotive company should consider the possibility of canceling the truck’s production entirely, arguing that it could become a burden on profits and a diversion of resources. Musk expressed regrets about the production, describing it as an “incredibly difficult” process.