Is the Cyber Truck a Flop?

[EddieWalker]

...

First of all, I don't see what's so special about a toyota. Kind of mediocre trucks IMHO.
This $10k truck may be well suited for third world countries, but kind of strippo for what most Americans want. Adapting it for U.S. safety standards would raise the price considerably.

I don't own a Toyota, and I have no plans to buy one. But they have proven themselves to be one of the very best automakers in the world. Their quality and support system is as good as it gets.

 

[WinterDeere]

The Ford and Chevy E-trucks are much more traditional trucks, and they aren't selling.

I think that has nothing to do with the comparative cosmetics of Ford or Chevy versus Tesla Cybertruck cosmetics. It is more likely:

1. Ford and Chevy have culled a customer base that favors ICE’s, who may be slower to adopt EV’s while the ICE’s remain available.

2. Ford and Chevy are new to the EV game, whereas Tesla is already the established EV market leader.

3. Charging network. Even if F&C can charge on the Tesla network, it may be seen as a confusing obstacle by some prospective customers.

4. Tesla’s current customer base may be comparatively higher wage earners, mostly techy people who are more apt to be chasing the latest new thing.

 

[shooterdon]

It would be interesting to see that $10k truck make it to our shores...even if it cost $20k. A lot of folks need dependable and affordable vehicles with decent gas mileage.

As to the CT, no thanks. If I want to impress the hot 50 year olds (I am 74) I will buy a Corvette. The CT might attract too many of the looney left bitches.

 

[ning]

Good post, redman! And I agree with your argument, that they missed the better opportunity, and grabbing up the under-served smaller pickup market, for several reasons.

But this one point you made really caught my attention, since like everyone, I've been noticing how comically large all pickups have become. I park my 2005 Ram next to my 2015 Ram, and the older one looks tiny. I park my 2015 next to any 2024 model, and it looks tiny. Meanwhile, everyone is complaining about step-in height and bed height... so what gives?

You're saying this is due to manufacturers bending to EPA regulations? How so?

I don't know that EPA made trucks any bigger - that's entirely a choice that the manufacturers made. EPA didn't say "make this truck look stupid and extra tall!!!1!"

150/1500/half ton trucks are still "light duty" with GVWR <= 8500#, so they're included in of fleet MPG (Corporate Average Fuel Economy - CAFE) and why you'll see EPA estimated MPG on the label.
3/4+ trucks are >8500# GVWR so are "heavy duty" and aren't part of CAFE, and you won't see an estimated MPG on the label.

You can argue that the big cars were "regulated away" and people moved to big trucks, but that doesn't make any sense because the half-ton trucks are still just as regulated; your mom's Caprice Classic didn't die because of people moving to F250's, people moved to SUVs and generally SUVs are still part of CAFE (I don't think any "heavy duty" SUVs are made since the F250-based Ford Excursion ended production; Tahoe/Suburban families and Expedition are half-ton chassis & weight ratings). If people still wanted a traditional sedan, GM would still be selling a Caprice Classic that got quite a bit better mpg than the 1500 trucks (wayyy better aerodynamics - my Impala SS averaged 21mpg in from when I got it in '96 till I sold it in '03 and that was with a lead foot; an F150 of that time didn't come close to that)

I'll grant that some people did go to F250/350 but by and large people don't by a harsh-riding truck when moving from a car unless they need the capabilities of that truck; that's why half-tons ride so much nicer.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I think these guys have been reading TBN

Chief Analyst Says, “Remember When the Cybertruck Was Going To Be Tesla’s F-150? I Think the Tesla Cybertruck Can Officially Be Considered a Flop”

Should the Tesla Cybertruck be considered a flop? According to two top analysts, the electric truck is comical, has not met Elon Musk's projected sales, and can't compete with the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado. What is the future of Cybertruck?

www.torquenews.com

Chief Analyst Says, “Remember When the Cybertruck Was Going To Be Tesla’s F-150? I Think the Tesla Cybertruck Can Officially Be Considered a Flop”​

 

[NoTrespassing]

Bernstein Questions Tesla's Cybertruck Success and RoboTaxi Prospects

Bernstein analysts express concerns over Tesla's Cybertruck production and profitability, calling it a 'strategic miscalculation.

us.headtopics.com

Bernstein Questions Tesla's Cybertruck Success and RoboTaxi Prospects​

Bernstein analysts express concerns over Tesla's Cybertruck production and profitability, calling it a 'strategic miscalculation.' They also cast doubt on Tesla's robotaxi ambitions, citing competitive challenges.

Tesla delivered only around 15,000 Cybertruck s during the period and an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 units for the year, a far cry from Tesla ’s initial claim of 2 million orders for the vehicle. According to Bernstein analysts, this underperformance raises questions about whether the Cybertruck is “a bust.” The analysts believe that the Cybertruck is not gross margin positive “and we struggle to see what the future for the product is, given flagging profitability and niche demand,” they said.

'We highlight Cybertruck as a massive strategic miscalculation and opportunity cost for Tesla, given that it took 4 years to develop, and inevitably diverted attention away from a lower priced offering, which Tesla is now in desperate need of,' analysts led by Toni Sacconaghi added. Bernstein also points out Tesla's declining auto gross margins amid aggressive price promotions and financing incentives in Q4. Excluding regulatory credits and one-time software/FSD recognition, they forecast auto gross margins to drop below 15%, lagging behind all U.S. and European internal combustion engine manufacturers in their comparison set, except for Ford. The analysts forecast Tesla’s annual earnings to decline from $2.60 in 2023 to approximately $2.10 in 2024, even with an additional $1 billion in regulatory credits. Tesla’s progress in the robotaxi space is also under scrutiny. Despite the company shifting investor focus toward autonomy, Bernstein’s team is skeptical about Tesla's ability to outpace competitors. They cited the company’s'more limited sensor suite,' potential regulatory hurdles, and its less pronounced advantage in accident simulation training compared to rivals like Waymo. Even if Tesla achieves Level 5 autonomy first, the analysts questioned whether the company could sustain dominanc

 

[WinterDeere]

I know a few people who are planning to buy Cybertrucks this year. Otherwise-intelligent people. I just don't get it.

As if the hitch falling off wasn't enough of a deterrent, you get to drive an ugly and downright-offensive looking vehicle!

I think Tesla has done some amazing things, but the Cybertruck is not among them.

 

[tradosaurus]

Starting to see them on a daily basis around here. I have yet to see one doing "truck stuff" but oh well, to each their own. I can hope that something good will come from it all in future developments. Sometime it takes a weirdo to do something different to get us to the next step of doing something better.

I think this would apply to most people who own trucks. Myself included.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I think this would apply to most people who own trucks. Myself included.

What do you mean? You never use your truck as a truck?

I still use mine as a truck once in a while. I hauled our new couch home in it, and it's a big heavy sucker. I used to haul feed and hay in it but the horses are long gone. I haul lumber in it and firewood sometimes. I haul pallets stacked above the cab on occasion too as well as a refrigerator and lawnmower.

 

[Renze]

I know a few people who are planning to buy Cybertrucks this year. Otherwise-intelligent people. I just don't get it.

Some people (i assume you and me) make practical choices. They watch how things go in reality and take that feedback into account when making life choices.

Heck, we had a communist party untill 1986 when they merged with the greens... They believed in the idea, even though they saw people being shot off the Berlin wall in the news, being a clear sign that the idea didnt work in real life.

So, if people ignore practical feedback and insist on pissing over the electric fence, go ahead: Just dont expect me to hold your hand while you do