Customers anticipating the Tesla Cybertruck will have to wait a bit longer to drive one.
During Wednesday’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk gave an update regarding where the company was in terms of getting the truck on the road. Musk was asked if mid-2023 was still the goal to begin pre-production. He confirmed that it would take place “sometime this summer” but admitted mass production gets underway until 2024.
Musk announced the Cybertruck in 2019, sparking immediate interest. However, several factors have pushed back its rollout since then. Pre-production was scheduled to begin in late 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted these plans. Then, in 2022, Musk assured investors that 2023 would be the year to get the ball rolling, though history has proven that this deadline is subject to change.
Another aspect of the Cybertruck that has continuously changed is the price. Last year, Musk also confirmed that the price of the truck would be spiking. In 2019, the company announced the cost to be a little under $70,000 for the tri-motor version. Now, customers will pay somewhere around $76,900 when the vehicle finally hits the market. The self-driving upgrade is an additional $7,000, while reservations are $100.
The longer it takes for the production to begin, the more difficult it will be for the Cybertruck to find success against its impressive competition. This includes the Ford F-150 Lightning and the powerful GMC Hummer EV, which is now sold out until 2025.
