When the Tesla Cybertruck was revealed back in 2019, it was a bit of a “shock and awe” moment, mostly due to the vehicle’s unique styling, impressive performance and range, and affordable price tag. Tesla said back then that its first-ever pickup would launch later in 2021, a fact CEO Elon Musk recently confirmed, though he did note that production wouldn’t fully ramp up until 2022. Now, however, it seems that the EV automaker has finally admitted that the Cybertruck has been delayed until next year, as Tesla’s configurator for the model now says that buyers will be able to complete their configuration “when production nears in 2022.”
This news comes as no surprise to anyone who’s been following the Tesla Cybertruck over the last couple of years. For starters, Tesla’s new Gigafactory Texas – where the Cybertruck will be built – is still under construction, and that plant will also build the Model Y once it’s operational. Secondly, the Cybertruck will utilize Tesla’s new 4680 battery cells, which are currently supply-constrained, as is the case with many automotive components these days.
Throw in the fact that Tesla only recently finalized the engineering design of the Cybertruck and is still making changes to the model (eliminating the door handles, giving it four-wheel steering), and it’s been obvious for some time that reservation holders would be waiting a bit longer to take delivery. Thus, it will be interesting to see if the Cybertruck’s rival – the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning – actually launches first. Of course, the Rivian R1T might beat both to market, though it’s been delayed a couple of times as well.
Currently, the F-150 Lightning is scheduled to launch in the spring of 2022, though Ford CEO Jim Farley has stated that it will only be built in limited quantities in its first year of production. Recent studies have shown that prospective EV pickup buyers find the Lightning to be more appealing than the Cybertruck, largely due to Ford’s long-established brand presence and the F-150’s heritage (and less polarizing styling), which is why FoMoCo seemingly isn’t worried about Tesla’s first shot at the truck market.
We’ll have more on the F-150 Lightning and its future rivals soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, F-150 Lightning news, and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
H/T: Electrek
Comments
“F-150 Lightning rival”?
Hahahahahaha! Yeah, okay.
Tesla has lost the electric truck war. Might as well return the reservation money with interest so they can go to Ford.
It’s the same thing over and over again. Tesla is notorious for delaying models and the Cybertruck and especially the Roadster have been the absolute worse in automotive history. They’re poorly built, unreliable, the workers hate it there so just like the Edsel they build it like crap on purpose. The man has even admitted the Cybertruck might be a failure and the F-150 Lightning was certainly the nail in the coffin😂
Tesla should stick to Refining their existing product line than trying to break into the pickup truck market, which has proven to be Ford’s game for a long time. Brand loyalty runs deep for trucks, and Tesla will struggle to gain ground. It’s a very different segment compared to the Car & Crossover market where Brand Loyalty is not as strong.
Yet Tesla is one of the biggest sellers of plug in EVs. The cyber truck has an odd shape but the Tesla brand is still a winner in electric cars.
When the Cybertruck was introduced I put down my $100 right away. Much later I checked to see where my order was in line. I was written that my order did not exist. I wrote back with the order number and tried to prove that I did actually exist but no response. Did not get my money back either. It probably stems from the fact that I ordered the basic bare model and wouldn’t be made for several years. Now the Lightening has surfaced and I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to purchase a real EV truck. I’ve always been a Ford fan owning several of their cars, trucks and vans. Right now I have an F150 XLT with the coyote engine and can’t wait to see what’s going to be better than this.