The Cybertruck was supposed to reinvent the pickup, but mostly reinvented the concept of an expensive public embarrassment. Now Musk is clearing factory space for the Cybercab, which is apparently what happens when your last futuristic vehicle fails: you announce one with even fewer ways for the customer to take control.
It made the Ford Fiesta seem safe
I had the displeasure of owning one of these and my god it was made of tin foil. Half the shit on that car would break just from driving it. My rear hatch would just open randomly when it was in the mood for instance.
The main character in Blade Runner is not named Blade Runner!!!
His name is Harrison Ford!
Elon said the design is inspired by Blade Runner and has been quoted saying that is the name of the main character.
And the thing is, it wouldn’t have been hard to make a competitive truck that people who have trucks might want. It might have struggled and only gotten a percentage of the market, but at least it would have been an honest attempt that wasn’t embarrassing.
I remember reading discussion when the Cybertruck was first announced as coming, all the lists of “I hope it has…”
Nope.
I mean, it still stands as the most successful electric truck, with other options being pretty compelling, too. It’s clear that it’s a target customer problem and not an engineering problem (forget of Musk, delays and empty promises).
Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a74324287/bestselling-electric-pickup-trucks/
We have the chance to do the funniest thing (think Morbius)
It did not flop as a design, it flopped because of Musk, and it flopped because pickup buyers don’t give a fuck about the environment.
The F150 Lightning also flopped and didn’t look like fridge.
Cybertruck’s engineering is actually pretty awesome (the underlying drivetrain and software, not the glued shit flying in the wind), the looks are hideous and - I agree - most people looking for that vehicle type without really needing the capability (that is, most people buying trucks) won’t ideologically buy an EV.
EV trucks don’t have to be about the environment. My F-150 lightning was cheaper than the comparable ICE model, and is the best performing truck I’ve ever owned.
It tows 8,000lbs like there’s nothing behind it, doesn’t give af about elevation, never losses traction, and takes off like a rocket. Being vastly cheaper to run as well as being better for the environment could be secondary to any sensible truck owner who isn’t towing more than ~120 miles at a time.
The EV Silverado looks even better.
The CyberTruck failed because it’s a douche mobile, who’s only purpose was to get attention.
The F-150 was discontinued because Ford is a dinosaur of a company who couldn’t sell it correctly (or didn’t want to advertise it’s strengths and tick off their hick ICE buyers).
EV trucks are so about the environment, that most Americans buying a truck willfully avoid them ignoring the truths you mention, because they’re proud of burning gas. It’s ideological (weak minds steered by the oil/car lobby)
who couldn’t sell it correctly
Yes, it’s Ford’s fault pickup buyers don’t want EVs.
The EV Silverado looks even better.
and sold a whopping 7,400 , or 1/8th cybertruck sales. Proves my point.
The CyberTruck failed because it’s a douche mobile, who’s only purpose was to get attention.
oh yes, nothing like V8 lifted pickups.
