Art of Underdelivering: Tesla starts delivering Cybertruck, customers disappointed with price, range

After facing numerous delays and obstacles over four years, the long-anticipated Tesla Cybertruck has finally hit the road. CEO Elon Musk showcased the electric truck’s impressive features, including towing capabilities, bulletproof doors, and remarkable straight-line speed, during a delivery event at the company’s Austin, Texas factory. Despite the excitement surrounding the launch and the presence of numerous attendees, the event did not unfold as smoothly as Tesla had envisioned. Production woes and delays Initially slated to commence production in late 2021, the Cybertruck faced setbacks due to supply chain shortages and manufacturing complications. The company, grappling with these challenges, is expected to roll out a limited number of units initially as production gradually scales up. The automaker, at the time of unveiling back in 2019 had said that the base variant of the truck would cost $39,900. Then came the pandemic, and more delays. As a result, we see the original price ballooning up by at least 50 per cent. Pricing leaves a sour taste Tesla initially announced a single-motor Cybertruck variant in 2019, which would come with rear-wheel drive and towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and a 250-mile range, all for under $40,000 The base variant’s promised price of $39,900 surged by 33-50 per cent due to pandemic-related delays and the challenges posed by the Cybertruck’s rigid steel body. As seasons changed, so did Tesla’s price estimates for the Cybertruck. The base variant now costs $60,990, or $53,490 after factoring in $7,500 in federal tax credits. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version is priced at $79,990, while the top-end Cyberbeast commands a hefty $99,990. Critics have wasted no time in lambasting Tesla, highlighting the comparatively higher costs of the Cybertruck when compared to rival vehicles that aim to provide similar features at more affordable prices. Delays continue Moreover, the most demanded variant of the vehicle won’t be delivered at least for another year. The cheapest of the batch, a rear-wheel version with 250 miles of range, a 6.9-second zero to 60 miles per hour acceleration rate and a $60,990 base price, won’t be available until 2025. The Cyberbeast trim will also be available later, with deliveries starting from mid-2024. Elon Musk had previously outlined a production target of approximately 250,000 Cybertrucks annually by 2025. However, no updates were provided during the recent event, leaving the future production rate unclear. Range concerns While Tesla had initially promised a 500-mile range, the Cybertruck’s longest-range version is estimated at 340 miles, with a range extender option pushing it to 470 miles. Critics, including Sam Abuelsamid from Guidehouse Insights, express scepticism about the Cybertruck’s real-world performance, saying that Tesla, like other EV makers are known to exaggerate their EV’s declared ranges.