{"id":19634,"date":"2019-11-23T00:28:23","date_gmt":"2019-11-23T08:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/?p=19634"},"modified":"2019-11-23T16:49:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-24T00:49:46","slug":"news-the-tesla-un-truck-appears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/news-the-tesla-un-truck-appears\/","title":{"rendered":"News: The Tesla Un-truck Appears"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Angular Future Pickup Debuts To Mixed Reviews&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Elon Musk is a man on a mission. Not only does he plan to go to Mars; perhaps even more ambitious, this week he introduced a new Tesla model with the stated goal of going after the U.S.\u2019s top-selling vehicles. The Tesla Cybertruck is a study contrasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"369\" src=\"\/\/i2.wp.com\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0504.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla Cybertruck\" class=\"wp-image-19636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0504.jpg 640w, https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0504-300x173.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption><strong>Three versions of the Cybertruck are planned<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Musk presented the truck at what has become his standard rock star blast. A crowd of maybe a thousand enthusiasts wait in anticipation and cheer every word and action. Usually there are a few surprises along with a parlor trick or two. I counted three surprises on Thursday night:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The truck itself\u2014a radical departure from not\nonly traditional pickup styling, but even from the standard body-on-frame\nstructure found on the best-selling models.<\/li><li>A Tesla ATV that popped up into the bed of the\nCybertruck. <\/li><li>The failed demo of the Tesla Armor Glass where a\nsteel ball twice shattered the truck\u2019s supposed bulletproof glass.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Big Picture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While presented as being as beefy and capable as the Ford F-150, because of its non-standard configuration, the Cybertruck will likely fail to be seen as a true head-to-head competitor, even if it can keep to its stated $39,900 starting price. Styling alone dooms it in the traditional truck market, although it will undoubtedly attract new folks into the segment. The fixed 6.5-foot bed likewise limits its appeal as a real work truck, despite an impressive list of capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"379\" src=\"\/\/i1.wp.com\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0508.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla Cybertruck and ATV\" class=\"wp-image-19637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0508.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0508-300x237.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption><strong>One surprise for the evening was a Tesla ATV<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The other factor that will impact the Cybertruck\u2019s market\nentrance is something Tesla hasn\u2019t had to deal with in its previous four models\n(Roadster, S, X and 3)\u2014real competition. Musk said the first Cybertruck\u2019s could\nbe \u201cconfigured\u201d in late 2021, a notable hedge on promising delivery or even\nproduction. Of course, Tesla has been notoriously late with all of its product\nlaunches so the hedge is a bit of an acknowledgement of that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"\/\/i3.wp.com\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0480.jpg\" alt=\"Elon Musk\" class=\"wp-image-19640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0480-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption><strong>Musk remains the maestro of the reveal event<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem is that by late 2021 the Rivian will have been\non the market for a year (assuming it meets its production schedule), but more\nsignificant is that both Ford and Chevrolet have promised to have their own\nfully electric pickups rolling out of their factories in the same timeframe.\nThe pickup segment is one of the most competitive ones out there and, because\nits also one of the most lucrative ones for automakers, it is not one that\nanyone will surrender meekly. Those competitors also now have a clear target to\naim at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Stats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, production is still two years (at least) away and\nthings probably will change, but Musk presented the basics of the Cybertruck. Even\nthough the shape and exoskeleton structure are unconventional, the dimensions are\nnot. The truck is 231.7 inches long, 79.8 inches wide and 75 inches high. It\nseats six and has a standard 6.5-foot bed, capable of taking on a 3,500-pound\npayload in its 200 cubic feet of space. Towing capacity on the max-power\nversion will be 14,000 pounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"335\" src=\"\/\/i1.wp.com\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0503.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla Cybertruck, Elon Musk\" class=\"wp-image-19638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0503.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0503-300x209.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption><strong>Not many vehicles could claim to be as unique as the Cybertruck<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the unique features may set the pickup apart even more. An adaptive air suspension will be standard so the truck will be able to adjust its ride height based on payload and conditions. According to Musk it will boast 16 inches of ground clearance for off-road excursions. The exterior of the truck is cold-rolled stainless steel. In a more successful demo (compared to the Armor Glass), an employee took a sledge hammer to door of the Cybertruck and didn\u2019t produce even a minor dent. Autopilot also will come standard although the Tesla order sight noted that self-driving capability (a later arrival) would cost $7,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No announcements were made about potential production sites or expected volumes, but the implication was Tesla was targeting the largest volume classes of vehicles in order to further ramp up its own volumes. Recognizing the diversity of the category, Tesla will try to address it with three models:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The base $39,900 model due to arrive late 2021.\nIt will have a single motor driving the rear wheels, payload of 3,500 pounds\nand a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The motor will take it from 0-to-60 in\napproximately 6.5 seconds. The battery pack will give it 250 miles of range.<\/li><li>The midlevel $49,900 model will offer two motors\nproducing all-wheel drive and 300 miles of range. It will tow 10,000 pounds and\nbe two seconds faster to 60 than the base model. It also will appear in late\n2021. Payload is the same.<\/li><li>The tri-motor $69,900 model will be a later\narrival (late 2022), but will have 500 miles of range and the top performance\nstatistics of the three, capable of towing 14,000 pounds and delivering 2.9 second\n0-to-60 times. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"334\" src=\"\/\/i1.wp.com\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0487-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0487-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_0487-1-300x209.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption> <strong>It will be a long wait to the Cybertruck&#8211;the question will be how many folks are eager to hang around until it arrives<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>True to form, Tesla offered the crowd the opportunity to put in an order for the Cybertruck for a refundable $100 deposit. That\u2019s significantly less than what they\u2019ve asked for past sedans, perhaps an acknowledgement of the looming competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The intro was short, but the reaction has gone on for days\nand can be expected to linger. While it\u2019s easy for Tesla skeptics to dismiss\nthe radical-looking vehicle as another Elon flight-of-fancy, the EV community\nand even hard-care enthusiasts are split on whether the pickup is likely to be\nsuccessful\u2014or will even see production. Several other models are ahead of it in\nthe queue, so we\u2019ll have to wait and see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Related Stories You Might Enjoy\u2014Electric Pickups &amp; Other Tesla News<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>News: <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/news-rivian-electric-pickup-suv-revealed\/\">Rivian\nElectric Pickup Revealed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>News: <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/news-bollinger-motors-b2-pickup\/\">Bollinger\nMotors B2 Electric Pickup<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interview: <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/interview-ford-electrifies-sedans-need-not-apply\/\">Ford\nElectrifies\u2014Sedans Need Not Apply<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>News: <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/gmc-is-considering-an-all-electric-sierra-pickup\/\">GMC\nIs \u201cConsidering\u201d an All-Electric Sierra Pickup<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysis: <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/analysis-the-trouble-with-the-tesla-network\/\">The\nTrouble with the Tesla Network<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While presented as beefy and capable as the Ford F-150, because of its non-standard configuration, the Cybertruck will likely fail to be seen as a true head-to-head competitor, even if it can keep to its stated $39,900 starting price. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19635,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3861,2104,87,3907,3399,25,209,4248,2693],"tags":[4146,3993,3918,3919,3920,4262,3860,63,4261],"class_list":["post-19634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-awd-4wd","category-awd","category-electric-trucks","category-medium-heavy-duty-electric-vehicles-commecial-electric-vehicles","category-events","category-future-evs","category-news","category-tesla","category-trucks-with-high-mpg","tag-all-wheel-drive","tag-awd","tag-electric-pickup","tag-electric-truck","tag-ford-f-150","tag-future-ev","tag-news","tag-tesla","tag-tesla-cybertruck","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"aioseo_notices":[],"nelio_content":{"isAutoShareEnabled":true,"autoShareEndMode":"never","automationSources":{"useCustomSentences":false,"customSentences":[]},"followers":[],"suggestedReferences":[],"efiUrl":"","efiAlt":"","highlights":[],"permalinkQueryArgs":[],"series":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19634"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19634\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanfleetreport.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}