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Two years behind schedule, customer deliveries of the Tesla Cybertruck electric pick-up are finally scheduled to commence next month. But it may take more than four years to clear its pre-order bank.
Electric Cars
Deliveries of the long-delayed Tesla Cybertruck electric pick-up are due to commence on November 30, the company announced today.
But at planned production rates – and the number of pre-orders accrued to date – it may take more than four years to clear all of its pre-orders.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors and media this morning the company is currently holding more than 1 million pre-orders for the electric pick-up.
However the executive said production would initially be slow given a number of new technologies included in the vehicle – before ramping up to 250,000 vehicles annually in 2025.
While it is unlikely every pre-order will follow through to a vehicle sale – given prices are expected to rise since the figures announced four years ago, and it may not be sold in as many countries as first expected – it will still mean long wait times for customers in the queue.
It will be more than four years since the vehicle was unveiled as a concept in November 2019, and two years since the late 2021 timeframe promised for first deliveries.
The most recent timeline given for Tesla Cybertruck deliveries was the third quarter this year (July to September) – marked by a live-streamed delivery event – however Tesla missed this deadline.
Ahead of a financial presentation to investors and media this morning, the company has confirmed the first vehicles will be delivered on November 30 at an event at its factory in Texas, where the vehicle is built — pending any further delays.
Updated prices and specifications for the production model are likely to be announced at, or ahead of the event.
Recent reports have claimed the model line-up at launch will include a three-motor model sharing its 761kW mechanicals with the Tesla Model S Plaid super sedan.
Tesla is yet to confirm if the Cybertruck will be made available in Australia. However, while it has been spotted testing at a cold-weather proving ground in New Zealand, it is not expected to be manufactured in right-hand drive for Australia.
Production of the Cybertruck commenced in mid-July, though it is not expected to reach maximum capacity until sometime next year.
In a presentation it plans to show to investors this morning, Tesla says the “installed capacity” of Cybertruck production at its Austin, Texas factory is more than 125,000 vehicles annually.
For context, so far this year it has delivered about 1.3 million Model 3 and Model Y mid-size cars – and 44,000 Model S and Model X flagship vehicles.
As a result of the delays, Tesla has lost its lead in the electric pick-up race to Ford and the F-150 Lightning, as well as US start-up Rivian, and General Motors with its Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV.
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