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TESLA SHOULD CANCEL THE CYBERTRUCK

The Competition Has Already Beaten The EV To The Market, With Better Products

Tesla Cybertruck Deliveries Production
Image via Tesla

Tesla has given the auto industry establishment a lot to worry about. Here are a few examples: a complete rethinking of how to sell a car, with no franchised dealerships; the ability to keep the vehicle’s software fresh through OTA updates; semi-autonomous driving; wild stock prices. The irreverent nature of Tesla has favorably disrupted the auto industry, causing a shakeup in how business is done, period. It’s had just about every large global automaker biting on the bait. But the Cybertruck continues to be a joke. And as the clock continues to tick forward, there’s really no reason for the automaker to continue committing to an inferior product, compared to three vehicles that have emerged as frontrunners to take it on. Vehicles that have already started to get in the hands of customers.

Rivian R1T Water Wading Test
Image via Rivian

Rivian R1T

Perhaps the biggest threat to Tesla comes from well-funded EV automaker Rivian. A new-age automaker that took its time ironing out its inaugural products before getting them into the hands of customers, the Rivian R1T has proven to be more than competent in extreme conditions, validating its 800 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque by entering off-road events like the Rebelle Rally, and crossing the Trans-America trail. Where is Tesla in validating the Cybertruck, two years after revealing it?

To which, I need to point out that the world expected to see an “updated” Cybertruck months ago. This still hasn’t happened.

When it comes to the awareness of Rivian and its products, that’s probably where Tesla still has the Michigan-turned-California automaker beat. But that’s probably because Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe hasn’t been on The Joe Rogan Experience. Or Cathie Wood decreeing absurd share price targets for the automaker on CNBC (yet). But delivering on product promises, on time, is also why a car company is so much more than a cult of personality.

GMC Hummer EV Off-road Terrain
Image via GMC.

GMC Hummer EV

GM has made a big splash by resurrecting the Hummer name, and its macho proportions and radical power numbers (1,000 hp!) have the electric pickup truck putting off quite the vibe. The truck is also set to begin production by the end of the year, just behind the Rivian R1T, and seemingly well ahead of the Tesla Cybertuck. And this new Hummer EV isn’t some badge-engineered compliance car, either. It shares zero parts with any existing General Motors vehicle. And, when you watch the Hummer EV do its Crabwalk dance in person, there’s no denying that the electric truck is pretty damn cool. Cool enough to where even Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted to rethinking the design of the Cybertruck, which would incorporate rear wheel steering, at minimum.

Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center F-150 Lightning
Image via Ford.

Ford F-150 Lightning

Where the GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T seem more positioned to stand out in a crowd, the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning gets things down to brass tacks. For its part, Ford Motor Company has gone as far as to admit that Tesla is the catalyst for its EV push, but has focused its market positioning of the F-150 Lightning truck as one that’s built to work, and what it can do on the job site. Stats like being able to power a house for three days, or that it stands to be the most affordable electric pickup truck on the market when it launches in early 2022, are helping the electric truck garner the attention of fleet buyers, with enough reservation deposits to motivate Ford to double its production targets next year. And, for better or worse, President Biden drove one.

While the Ford F-150 Lightning may not have the thick stainless steel body that the Tesla Cybertruck may have, Tesla lacks the decades of learning and customer data on people who use their trucks for work, which Ford has in spades.

Tesla Cybertruck Elon Musk Texas Gigafactory
Image via Twitter.

How Much Of The Tesla Cybertruck Was Just A Cash Grab?

As of this writing, customers that have put down a Tesla Cybertruck reservation deposit have not been notified that the vehicle has been or will be canceled, so the interest-free loan generated from reservation holders remains in circulation. But with the automaker pulling the original specs and pricing of the Cybertruck from its website recently (despite still accepting reservations), something appears off. And since Tesla has decided to eliminate its communications department a while ago, we’re left drawing our own conclusions.

Will Tesla ask reservation holders to go for something else? Perhaps only if a Cybertruck 2.0 doesn’t reveal itself. But like the new Tesla Roadster, the Cybertruck seems to have been demoted from industry disruptor, to yet another simple fan-boy fantasy.

Tesla Cybertruck Interior
Image via Tesla

“Better Products” From The Competition

The genuine flaws of the Tesla Cybertruck appear to be that it takes in zero account of any pragmatic use. Although, the Cybertruck is an incredible exercise in designing a vehicle that can circumvent just about every single transportation law in the DOT’s sizable rulebook.

Because of its gross vehicle weight rating putting it in the Class 2B category, it does not require the following:

  • airbags
  • a shape optimized for pedestrian safety
  • a crumple zone for crash safety
  • NHTSA crash testing
  • EPA electric range testing

Other vehicles like the Hummer EV and Rivian R1T may be classified in the same gross vehicle weight category, but GM and Rivian at least know better to implement these safety features into the design of their electric trucks, regardless the regulatory framework. It’s just good business practice, as the product would appear unfinished otherwise.

Add to it that the Cybertruck body is stainless steel, Tesla could save well into nine figures by simply forgoing any need to paint it over its lifecycle. This is based off what traditional OEMs have been seen investing over time just on paint tooling alone.

All in all, the Tesla Cybertruck would cost a fraction to build in comparison to what General Motors and Ford have earmarked for tooling and engineering of its upcoming electric vehicle offerings. See investments at the GM Factory Zero and Spring Hill plants, as well as Ford’s recent Kentucky and Rouge Complex announcements. To that end, the Tesla Cybertruck deserves incredible praise, and similar techniques should be applied where appropriate across the industry. But beyond this, the Cybertruck feels like an inferior product compared to its rivals as it stands, which bring more functionality and thought-out touches to the table. To the point where I’m not sure why anybody would want one, beyond the clout.

Tesla Cybertruck Video

Was The Tesla Cybertruck A Ruse?

Telsa revealed the hulking Cybertruck thinking what, exactly? That a bunch of Bay Area sociopaths are going to suddenly trade in their Model 3 and master parallel parking a Class 2B pickup truck next to a tent colony? That the Texas brodozer crowd is going to suddenly trade in lifted diesel trucks for something that can’t roll coal? Are coastal elites going to behave poorly on Twitter when it doesn’t fit in a parking garage, or there’s nowhere to charge one?

It’s one thing to put a refundable $100 deposit down for kicks. It’s another to live with such an automobile.

Somewhere between November of 2019 and now, the Tesla Cybertruck as it is has stopped making sense. And based on what we’re seeing from GM, Ford and Rivian, it’s time for Elon Musk and company to go back to formula. That’s not to say that Tesla shouldn’t or can’t build a truck. Or that people wouldn’t buy a Tesla truck. It just should be a good one.

Tesla Cybertruck
Image via Tesla

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

18 Comments

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  1. What a dumb article! Do you know anything about Tesla? About Elon Musk? I think not. Do you know why the Cybertruck is delayed? Batteries!

    The Cybertruck, Roadster, and Semi are all speced to use the Tesla 4680 cells which are proving to be harder than hoped for to get to the required reliability and producibility levels. Tesla is close but not there yet. Do GM, Rivian, or Ford even know how to design a battery, let alone make one? They are stuck with buying whatever they can find.

    Tesla’s #1 feature for all their products is safety! Do you think the Cybertruck won’t be the same? Dum

      • Tell me you are in an Anti-Tesla/Anti-Elon cult without telling me you are in a cult. Do you short Tesla stocks too?

          • I own a Lincoln MKX and a Mustang GT. I have my eye on a Mach-E GT. I am invested in Tesla and making beaucoup profit. What kind of people am I?

          • Not even close.

            I invest in what makes sense. Tesla’s 3Q earnings killed all estimates. Stock close to a new record today. I buy and drive what I study and enjoy.

            You should look up your counterpart in the Financial Industry. Gordon Johnson says stuff that is almost, but not quite as prejudiced and dumb as your article.

            All your articles babble on about ICE vehicles, but you’re silent on the fastest American-made production car available anywhere. That should tell your readers everything they need to know about your value in reporting on Muscle Cars & Trucks. Zero!

          • By “We”, I assume you mean Sam, Zac, and Liam report regularly and informatively about EVs. Where are your informative reports, especially about the Model S supercar/familysedan, or about the upcoming Roadster? Oh! The Roadster’s not here yet? What about the Lightning? Is it here yet?

            I used to look forward to updates from Muscle Cars & Trucks, but I am now only interested in watching for when your magazine gets on the bandwagon of recognizing that EVs are the future of muscle cars & trucks.

            If you need some education about Tesla Muscle Cars check out the Youtube Tesla Plaid Channel

          • By “we”, I mean us. I direct the content for MC&T, and I assign the stories to my team. I’m glad you like them. We take a pretty open but objective stance on EVs. You may find it critical, but you just like the kilowatt koolaid more than we do. I’m not here to tell you what to drive.

            Since you brought up the Lightning, we were literally just at a Ford facility tour in Dearborn watching Job 1 Lightnings get built. On schedule, too.

      • “TESLA SHOULD CANCEL THE CYBERTRUCK
        The Competition Has Already Beaten The EV To The Market, With Better Products”

        So, based on your logic, EQA EQC Mach-E i4 i3 , basically all manufacture should cancel their car because there’s already Model 3 and Y in the market?

        weird logic…

    • No they aren’t, Panasonic is building and developing the the 4680 cell. Not really different than the competition, some use LG, some SAMSUNG, some CATL.

  2. The pickup was removed because Tesla developed a real series version with exterior mirrors and a short front end, as well as wheel covers. The website has also been modernized.
    Tesla must also comply with laws and regulations in all countries. Whether this tesla pickup will also receive approval in Europe is possible, since tractors, combine harvesters and forklifts simply receive approval without checking the safety regulations.
    Regulations and laws in Europe only apply to cars and motorcycles.

  3. You stated “But beyond this, the Cybertruck feels like an inferior product compared to its rivals as it stands, which bring more functionality and thought-out touches to the table. To the point where I’m not sure why anybody would want one, beyond the clout.”

    What functionality and thought-out touches do the three ‘competitors’ you reference have that the CT lacks? And how do you know? Have you seem the production version of the CT?

    You also mention the safety features that don’t HAVE to be incorporated if the vehicle receives the 2B classification. How do you know the CT lacks

    • With the exoskeleton design and its thick steel, the Cybertruck does not have crumple zones. Nor is it legally bound to them as a class 2B truck, hence its design. The same with the interior, there is zero accommodation for airbags. Airbags are federally required to be labeled. If/when the Cybertruck comes out, pay attention to the Monroney Label. The Cybertruck doesn’t need to disclose any range numbers, as it’s not required because being a Class 2B, although it still could voluntarily provide them.

      You can see clearly what the CT lacks from the images. I’ve been up close to the Rivians and the Hummers and the Lightnings. They’re out in for the public to see up close. The Tesla is hiding.

  4. Uh oh. Someone from Detroit is mad the Tesla is popular. Still reliving getting bullied in high school?
    The cybertruck remind you of all the cool kids? This was perhaps the worst automotive article I have ever read. I’m going to try to remember it as best I can just to tell anyone who will listen about this legendarily useless article.

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