Tesla’s ill-fated Cybertruck destined for failure

I understand it is trendy to assault Tesla lately — and rightfully so, I would argue, in relation to Elon Musk — however even should you’re keen to place politics apart for a second, there are severe considerations concerning the automaker’s product lineup. Many designs and options have been criticized as lagging behind the competitors. An reasonably priced electric vehicle has been postponed in favor of the Cybercab, regardless of an inside report suggesting it is more likely to be unprofitable. And in China, the corporate faces powerful competitors from native automakers, significantly BYD.

The sharpest criticism has been directed on the Cybertruck. Certainly, it is troublesome to see at this level how the product can get better, in need of radical adjustments that Musk is unlikely to make. It is a disgrace, actually, for a car that originally had a number of excessive hopes.

The litany of points

High quality management is simply the beginning

Wikicommons

Although the Cybertruck has been on the street for lower than two years, there have already been eight recollects, with a couple of of them involving components falling off. That features the latest recall from March 2025, associated to a panel across the windshield doubtlessly coming free and hitting different automobiles. One of many earliest recollects concerned a part of the accelerator slipping off, doubtlessly wedging itself within the cabin ground — with the prospect of getting caught in full acceleration. Thankfully, this does not appear to have resulted in any real-world accidents or accidents.

These are some severe high quality points for a car meant to be additional powerful. And it is costly — the most cost effective configuration is $69,990, and extra probably, you may be spending hundreds additional. For across the identical worth, you may be driving a Rivian R1T, and the bottom trims of the Chevy Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning value considerably much less.

The Cybertruck has lengthy didn’t ship on guarantees. It was, for instance, initially alleged to value below $40,000 in its base trim, and a top-end tri-motor configuration was anticipated to ship over 500 miles (805 kilometers) of vary. Immediately, no trim surpasses 350 miles, and the Vary Extender battery pack has been dropped from ordering choices. Tesla botched sturdiness claims even previous to launch — all of us bear in mind the notorious stage demo during which the truck’s armored glass cracked not as soon as however twice when a steel ball was thrown at it.

Put up-release, you’ve got in all probability seen movies (or at the very least heard anecdotes) of Cybertrucks getting caught in situations you’d usually count on a high-end truck to flee. In some cases, I believe that individuals are overrating the capabilities of different automobiles, however that also would not excuse the efficiency of a product that may value as a lot as a down fee on a home.

Gross sales are, predictably, falling brief. In 2023, Musk predicted that Cybertruck manufacturing would scale as much as 250,000 models per yr by 2025. As a substitute, the corporate is predicted to churn out about 25,000 models this yr, with a few of the extra labor being shifted over to the Mannequin Y, in keeping with Business Insider. And that is on the firm’s flagship manufacturing unit in Austin, Texas. I’ve pushed previous that facility a number of instances — that is a number of manufacturing capability to re-purpose.

Most automakers would select to maneuver on at this level, however Tesla appears stubbornly dedicated. There’s been no phrase of a alternative or main overhaul being within the works, regardless of the Cybertruck’s more and more tarnished status.

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Can Tesla do something to avoid wasting the Cybertruck?

Coping with a cussed linchpin

Tesla / Pocket-lint

Elon Musk has to go. He will not need to, after all, because it’s Tesla that helped make him the world’s richest man. However he is the one who insisted on the Cybertruck taking its present form, actually and figuratively, and he hasn’t proven any indicators of fixing route. CEOs have been pressured out for a lot much less.

Extra importantly, Musk’s politics have change into as toxic to the Cybertruck identify as high quality management points. By taking a far-right flip, he is alienated the liberal, environmentally-conscious customers that helped propel Tesla to success. As a gauge, think about this — whereas total gross sales of zero-emission automobiles in California rose 7.3% within the March 2025 quarter (per USA Today), Tesla registrations have been down 15%. Likelihood is, even a pitch-perfect Cybertruck would not win over individuals who imagine Musk is a risk to democracy and fundamental authorities companies.

With or with out Musk, the Cybertruck wants a severe redesign. Personally, I get pleasure from its aesthetics, which remind me of a PlayStation 1 sport. However many individuals do not, because it seems, and its angular, stainless-steel panels appear to be behind most of the car’s high quality issues. One thing a little bit extra standard would probably attraction to extra consumers whereas being each simpler to fabricate and extra dependable.

I do not know the way a lot may be achieved concerning the Cybertruck’s specs. Vary-wise, even one of the best fashionable EVs can barely prime 400 miles, so the promise of 500 might be going to have to attend for solid-state batteries. Tesla might take a crack at making the Cybertruck higher at dealing with snow and ice, but I can not say way more than that, since I am not an engineer. One widespread suggestion is that Tesla present higher inventory tires, even when it reduces vary additional. There’s not a lot level to an “all-terrain” car that may’t address the identical winter situations as my Hyundai Venue.

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A number of last ideas

The place we go from right here

Tesla

As I discussed at first of this, I actually really feel a little bit unhappy about the best way the Cybertruck has turned out. It is a daring experiment, and I respect that, given what number of vehicles look and behave like carbon copies. My Venue, as an example, is predicated on the identical platform utilized by automobiles just like the Hyundai Accent and Kia Seltos. The Cybertruck is wholly authentic — and it had the potential to push the trade ahead, particularly if it had reached a $40,000 pricetag.

By way of the longer term, Tesla should proceed making enterprise changes to deal with declining gross sales, however I believe Musk and the Cybertruck will probably be round for some time longer. Actually, it is onerous to think about both of them going anyplace till the corporate reaches a disaster level. Crises do are inclined to sneak up on companies, although.

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