Manoli Katakis 
The Tesla Cybertruck is now on track to hit production three years after it was initially revealed. During the latest earnings call from the automaker, Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy stated that the Cybertruck is not targeted to commence production in late 2022, as it needs to “further mature the design” and the vehicle is currently in the “beta” testing phase. Originally, the Cybertruck was promised to reach production in late 2021.
Traditionally, by the time a vehicle is in a physical prototype testing phase, much of the design process is already finalized. And revealing something three years before it’s set to hit the market is a role better served by concept cars. But recently, a video of what appears to be an updated Tesla Cybertruck testing near an airfield was uploaded, just a day after I wrote that the company should start things over in favor something a bit more complete.
Tesla Cybertruck Builds By 2022?
A major update to the Tesla Cybertruck design is expected to be rear wheel steering, which appears to be a rebuttal to the GMC Hummer EV. Smaller updates will include more official things like windshield wipers and mirrors, which the original Cybertruck did not have.
If there were doubts that existed that the design of the Tesla Cybertruck is of one that circumvents just about every syllable of DOT legal framework on purpose, consider the mirrors. All vehicles are required to have them from the factory, for better or worse. CEO Elon Musk appears to take umbrage with mirrors, saying that customers will be able to easily remove them if they wanted, likely in favor of a camera system. Because mirrors are a problem.
They’re required by law, but designed to be easy to remove by owners
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 19, 2021
Per the Q3 2021 earnings transcript, Tesla plans on first building the Model Y at its new facility in Texas to the capacity of 5,000 units per week, and eventually to the tune of 10,000 units per week. Once that happens, then Tesla can turn its eye on Cybertruck production.
Before Tesla pulled pricing from its website, the original Cybertruck was slated to start at under $40,000 USD. But with aggressive inflation, adding new content to the vehicle, and material supply shortages, that base price is likely rising. Should the Tesla Cybertruck eventually arrive in 2022 – three years after it originally debuted – it would come after the Rivian R1T, GMC Hummer EV, and Ford F-150 Lightning, in that cadence. But with a staggering one million reservations tallied for the Cybertruck (not yet sold orders), Tesla pushes forward.
Now that’s a little more balanced and complete report. Way to go!