The Squandered Opportunity of the Cybertruck

[dogboyslim]

Meh, hate it.  I'd rather have a Rivian.  Assuming they ever make it.  Also, I like how they advertise range and payload and towing, but they DON'T advertise Range while towing or loaded (unless I missed it).  The guys at TFLCar tried to tow a small camper behind an X3 and it completely killed the range.  I'm amused by the pop-up tent idea too, as how are you going to charge your car at camp?  At least the places I've gone tent camping, I have trouble finding plain old unleaded fuel, much less a charging station.

I think this is a great concept for the majority of "I just want a truck" people who rarely use the bed and the towing is pretty much towing the boat to the ramp to launch the boat, but it still doesn't seem ready for an overlanding use, or as a hardcore work truck.

My son actually wanted to start an all-electric lawn business with the electric mower/trimmer/tow vehicle, but he doesn't think it will work because he'd have to have extra batteries if he needed more than 2 hours of operation time.  I think its coming, and maybe by the time he can actually drive this will be viable, but its not there yet.  I'm looking forward to the next few years.

[TomTX]

Rivian looks fine if you don't mind paying $30k more for some curves, paint, a much shorter bed and lack of a nationwide fast charging network...

[TomTX]

If "looks" are the primary motivator them in a truck selection: Then those "traditional truck guys" can keep buying their pretty painted princess wagons ;)

*cringe* no need for misogyny. Regardless of gender, people aren't eager to pay $50k and up for a vehicle they regard as ugly.

Princesses can be genetically male or female, makes no difference to me. Dunno why you need to go squealing about "misogyny"

[GuitarStv]

If "looks" are the primary motivator them in a truck selection: Then those "traditional truck guys" can keep buying their pretty painted princess wagons ;)

*cringe* no need for misogyny. Regardless of gender, people aren't eager to pay $50k and up for a vehicle they regard as ugly.

I can honestly say that I've never cared what an automobile I'm purchasing looks like.  It's a tool.  As long as it does its job I'm happy.  That's why the (large) group of people who seem to base significant amounts of their identity and self-worth on the vehicle they drive has always kinda weirded me out.

[Cranky]

The EV truck company that is looking to buy the Lordstown is, I've read, looking to target the delivery van market, rather than pickups.

[FINate]

If "looks" are the primary motivator them in a truck selection: Then those "traditional truck guys" can keep buying their pretty painted princess wagons ;)

*cringe* no need for misogyny. Regardless of gender, people aren't eager to pay $50k and up for a vehicle they regard as ugly.

Princesses can be genetically male or female, makes no difference to me. Dunno why you need to go squealing about "misogyny"

Stop being coy. What do mean to communicate by "pretty" and "princess"? If these aren't pertinent to your point then why did you feel the need to bring this into the discussion?

[TomTX]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

[Boofinator]

The smaller trucks have been tried and they no longer sold - the last real small truck died with the Ford Ranger in 2012.

Americans want a 6000 lb monstrosity with a vestigial 5.5 ft box to park terribly, use 1-2 times a year for the box in any application that couldn't have been done with any other vehicle (see useless 5.5 foot boxes) and splatter pedestrians and cyclists with.

My husband has that Ford Ranger. It's a clean, low mile, standard cab, two wheel drive, automatic-nothing pickup. He's like a rockstar in it. Every two weeks or so he runs into someone wanting to buy it.

I suspect the industry doesn't want to make small trucks because the profit isn't there. (We paid $6,000 for the truck new.) But, that doesn't mean the demand for a small truck doesn't exist.

$6,000 brand new??

Yep. It was a “special” designed to lure you in so they could up sell you. The DH was The Man that day.

Crazy.  2011 was not all that long ago...  $6k is insane for a new vehicle.

Agreed. It’s bare bones and absolutely perfect for Home Depot runs. Hahaha

This is truly insane. I bought my '98 Ranger in 2005 for just over $6k. No frills, except for the extended cab with the jump seats.

[dignam]

If "looks" are the primary motivator them in a truck selection: Then those "traditional truck guys" can keep buying their pretty painted princess wagons ;)

*cringe* no need for misogyny. Regardless of gender, people aren't eager to pay $50k and up for a vehicle they regard as ugly.

Princesses can be genetically male or female, makes no difference to me. Dunno why you need to go squealing about "misogyny"

Stop being coy. What do mean to communicate by "pretty" and "princess"? If these aren't pertinent to your point then why did you feel the need to bring this into the discussion?

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

[BECABECA]

If "looks" are the primary motivator them in a truck selection: Then those "traditional truck guys" can keep buying their pretty painted princess wagons ;)

*cringe* no need for misogyny. Regardless of gender, people aren't eager to pay $50k and up for a vehicle they regard as ugly.

Princesses can be genetically male or female, makes no difference to me. Dunno why you need to go squealing about "misogyny"

Stop being coy. What do mean to communicate by "pretty" and "princess"? If these aren't pertinent to your point then why did you feel the need to bring this into the discussion?

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Honestly, it’s just about being respectful and one of the things that I’ve really appreciated about this forum is that most people apologize when they inadvertently offend someone. I have to agree, as a woman it’s pretty frustrating to see guys equate being stupid with being female (in this case, a stupid choice of truck based on looks means they’re choosing a pretty car that a princess drives, not a handsome prince car.)

Further, being from the gay community makes me also cringe when guys try to equate stupid choices with being effeminate.

So no, the mountain was made out of the molehill by @TomTX not just apologizing and dropping it. Let’s keep this forum respectful of everyone please.

[FINate]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

[JLee]

Meh, hate it.  I'd rather have a Rivian.  Assuming they ever make it.  Also, I like how they advertise range and payload and towing, but they DON'T advertise Range while towing or loaded (unless I missed it).  The guys at TFLCar tried to tow a small camper behind an X3 and it completely killed the range.  I'm amused by the pop-up tent idea too, as how are you going to charge your car at camp?  At least the places I've gone tent camping, I have trouble finding plain old unleaded fuel, much less a charging station.

I think this is a great concept for the majority of "I just want a truck" people who rarely use the bed and the towing is pretty much towing the boat to the ramp to launch the boat, but it still doesn't seem ready for an overlanding use, or as a hardcore work truck.

My son actually wanted to start an all-electric lawn business with the electric mower/trimmer/tow vehicle, but he doesn't think it will work because he'd have to have extra batteries if he needed more than 2 hours of operation time.  I think its coming, and maybe by the time he can actually drive this will be viable, but its not there yet.  I'm looking forward to the next few years.

Maybe I'm missing something, but....it seems quite obvious that extra batteries would be required, much like landscaping companies will need extra fuel at some point as well. If you have enough batteries where you can cycle through them while always having a charged battery on standby, it seems it would work out just fine.  I have Ego 56v lawn/garden tools and with two batteries, I have never ran them both out simultaneously.

[GodlessCommie]

Two things one has to appreciate about the Cybertruck:

- Musk doesn't give a f**k. It's not just a truck, it's a giant stainless steel middle finger to traditional everything. Love it, hate it, no f**ks are given. People styling themselves as rebels should be able to see it, but probably won't.
- It's a near perfect match of form and function. In a traditional truck, a significant part of the exterior design is driven by aesthetics. Here everything is driven by the material, aerodynamics, and ease of manufacturing. The design wasn't bent to look cool, it looks cool as a side effect.

One aspect that hasn't got much coverage: Musk's tweet about a pressurized version of the Cybertruck being an official vehicle of Mars. Maybe a joke - but it will work on Mars. And there, nearly impregnable body and (hopefully, eventually) glass is actually a vital asset.

[BECABECA]

Two things one has to appreciate about the Cybertruck:

- Musk doesn't give a f**k. It's not just a truck, it's a giant stainless steel middle finger to traditional everything. Love it, hate it, no f**ks are given. People styling themselves as rebels should be able to see it, but probably won't.
- It's a near perfect match of form and function. In a traditional truck, a significant part of the exterior design is driven by aesthetics. Here everything is driven by the material, aerodynamics, and ease of manufacturing. The design wasn't bent to look cool, it looks cool as a side effect.

One aspect that hasn't got much coverage: Musk's tweet about a pressurized version of the Cybertruck being an official vehicle of Mars. Maybe a joke - but it will work on Mars. And there, nearly impregnable body and (hopefully, eventually) glass is actually a vital asset.

I think you’re spot on, and I don’t think Musk was joking about it being designed with Mars in mind. When I first saw it, I hated the look, but when I read more about the design and how it allows much higher payload and tow capacity with the exoskeleton as opposed to shell on frame, I think the ICE trucks will follow and move to exoskeleton designs in a few years.

[Here4theGB]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

Big lifted trucks that are driven by city dwellers (I live in huge city TX where this pretty much describes everyone) are often called pavement princesses.  It's a dig made by someone that might use their truck for truck things at someone who just uses it as a wasteful commuting vehicle.  It's certainly not a dig at women, gays, or anything else like that.

If this is now considered offensive on this forum, I think I will bow out.  I use this term frequently (see: where I live) and I'd have never guessed anyone other than a person driving one of these could possibly be offended by the term.   

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

[BECABECA]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

Big lifted trucks that are driven by city dwellers (I live in huge city TX where this pretty much describes everyone) are often called pavement princesses.  It's a dig made by someone that might use their truck for truck things at someone who just uses it as a wasteful commuting vehicle.  It's certainly not a dig at women, gays, or anything else like that.

If this is now considered offensive on this forum, I think I will bow out.  I use this term frequently (see: where I live) and I'd have never guessed anyone other than a person driving one of these could possibly be offended by the term.   

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

You might want to reconsider these terms you’re using... here’s the first link when googling Pavement Princess:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pavement%20princess

Notice that the definition uses both Pussy and Fag to explain the meaning. Do you still feel it’s not a dig at women or gays?

[lemonlyman]

I think it's great. They haven't detailed the powertrain yet. If it's their described 1,000,000 mile powertrain, that's $0.04 per mile of useful life for the $39,900 model which is an excellent value.

[Here4theGB]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

Big lifted trucks that are driven by city dwellers (I live in huge city TX where this pretty much describes everyone) are often called pavement princesses.  It's a dig made by someone that might use their truck for truck things at someone who just uses it as a wasteful commuting vehicle.  It's certainly not a dig at women, gays, or anything else like that.

If this is now considered offensive on this forum, I think I will bow out.  I use this term frequently (see: where I live) and I'd have never guessed anyone other than a person driving one of these could possibly be offended by the term.   

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

You might want to reconsider these terms you’re using... here’s the first link when googling Pavement Princess:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pavement%20princess

Notice that the definition uses both Pussy and Fag to explain the meaning. Do you still feel it’s not a dig at women or gays?

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Garage%20Queen

[BECABECA]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

Big lifted trucks that are driven by city dwellers (I live in huge city TX where this pretty much describes everyone) are often called pavement princesses.  It's a dig made by someone that might use their truck for truck things at someone who just uses it as a wasteful commuting vehicle.  It's certainly not a dig at women, gays, or anything else like that.

If this is now considered offensive on this forum, I think I will bow out.  I use this term frequently (see: where I live) and I'd have never guessed anyone other than a person driving one of these could possibly be offended by the term.   

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

You might want to reconsider these terms you’re using... here’s the first link when googling Pavement Princess:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pavement%20princess

Notice that the definition uses both Pussy and Fag to explain the meaning. Do you still feel it’s not a dig at women or gays?

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Garage%20Queen

Sigh. I thought you’d be able to put two and two together on that one once you saw the definition of the first one. But you are apparently unaware of the classic homophobic slurs, Queen being one of them:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Homophobic_slurs

Lots of terms go back decades, and lots of those are pretty offensive. Just because you’ve been calling it that for decades doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been offensive for decades. It just means you’ve been oblivious to it and now that you’re not oblivious you just don’t care to think past your own inconvenience of having to come up with a non offensive way to describe something.

[MilesTeg]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

Big lifted trucks that are driven by city dwellers (I live in huge city TX where this pretty much describes everyone) are often called pavement princesses.  It's a dig made by someone that might use their truck for truck things at someone who just uses it as a wasteful commuting vehicle.  It's certainly not a dig at women, gays, or anything else like that.

If this is now considered offensive on this forum, I think I will bow out.  I use this term frequently (see: where I live) and I'd have never guessed anyone other than a person driving one of these could possibly be offended by the term.   

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

You might want to reconsider these terms you’re using... here’s the first link when googling Pavement Princess:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pavement%20princess

Notice that the definition uses both Pussy and Fag to explain the meaning. Do you still feel it’s not a dig at women or gays?

Lol using urban dictionary to try to define a word is quite silly. The entire purpose of that site is to collate and generate offensive definitions of words in the most immature way possible.

[Here4theGB]

I seem to have triggered FINate.

Bizarrely defensive about painted pickup trucks.

Mountain out of a mole hill much?  Sheesh.  We are in the era of the perpetually offended I guess.

Triggered, offended?? Lolz, don't flatter yourself. Simply asking for clarification on what is meant by "pretty painted princess wagons"? Are we to understand this as something negative, or do you just like to make noise for no reason? Still waiting...

Big lifted trucks that are driven by city dwellers (I live in huge city TX where this pretty much describes everyone) are often called pavement princesses.  It's a dig made by someone that might use their truck for truck things at someone who just uses it as a wasteful commuting vehicle.  It's certainly not a dig at women, gays, or anything else like that.

If this is now considered offensive on this forum, I think I will bow out.  I use this term frequently (see: where I live) and I'd have never guessed anyone other than a person driving one of these could possibly be offended by the term.   

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

You might want to reconsider these terms you’re using... here’s the first link when googling Pavement Princess:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pavement%20princess

Notice that the definition uses both Pussy and Fag to explain the meaning. Do you still feel it’s not a dig at women or gays?

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Garage%20Queen

Sigh. I thought you’d be able to put two and two together on that one once you saw the definition of the first one. But you are apparently unaware of the classic homophobic slurs, Queen being one of them:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Homophobic_slurs

Lots of terms go back decades, and lots of those are pretty offensive. Just because you’ve been calling it that for decades doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been offensive for decades. It just means you’ve been oblivious to it and now that you’re not oblivious you just don’t care to think past your own inconvenience of having to come up with a non offensive way to describe something.

Nah, It wasn't that I can't put 2 and 2 together, it's just that I don't take the Urban Dictionary as the authority that you do.  If you want to take offense to these silly terms describing ones choice of vehicles, go right ahead. 

It's nothing at all even remotely close to calling someone a Fag. 

[waltworks]

TomTX has explained what he meant, and it wasn't intended to offend anyone. It's a funny term (this is coming from someone who is quite liberal) for a truck that gets washed and waxed every weekend, with raised suspension (so you can't actually load anything into the bed without killing yourself) and giant tires that have never touched dirt. Every GC I know hates this type of truck with great passion and intensity.

"Princess" can be used to convey disgust about someone/something that is more about appearance than function, and it's IMO a funny an non-offensive way to do it. But hey, keep being offended and assuming it's being used as a gay slur. That's a big reason why we have Trump, after all.

-W

[JLee]

C'mon people. We're better than this.

[aspiringnomad]

But I think for those who use trucks as trucks, the Cyber Truck won't appeal to them at all. I may be wrong.

Why is that? You're saying it won't appeal specifically in a utility sense, correct? I'm genuinely curious why. Seems quite capable and with a relatively long bed.

[John Galt incarnate!]

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

One of my friends is a car collector who does call some of them "garage queens."

"Shelf queen" is a more general phrase  for unused items that are placed on a shelf where they can be seen and  appreciated.

[JLee]

But I think for those who use trucks as trucks, the Cyber Truck won't appeal to them at all. I may be wrong.

Why is that? You're saying it won't appeal specifically in a utility sense, correct? I'm genuinely curious why. Seems quite capable and with a relatively long bed.

Bed access is problematic -- can't easily get to anything from the sides.

[John Galt incarnate!]

I can honestly say that I've never cared what an automobile I'm purchasing looks like.  It's a tool.  As long as it does its job I'm happy.  That's why the (large) group of people who seem to base significant amounts of their identity and self-worth on the vehicle they drive has always kinda weirded me out.

Knowing that I have no need whatsoever for it I've been able to control my  lust  for an early 1960s Bentley.

I like the look of them so much that a few times  I've come close  to buying one.

As for my other vehicles, I don't care a whit what they look like.

Excellent  reliability is all I care about.

[lemonlyman]

Accessing from the sides and hauling a 5th wheel trailer are issues. Features it has other trucks don't:

Standard Tesla features (sentry mode, dog mode, ota updates, Netflix, autopilot, etc)
Adjustable suspension with self leveling bed
Tailgate ramp built in
Slots all over bed to put hooks and ties anywhere
Storage compartment on bed floor for tools so a box isn't needed (normally takes bed space)
Bed led light
Automatic bed cover to protect larger tools that can't fit in a box
Six seats standard
110v and 240v outlets
Air compressor built in

Seems pretty versatile to me. I don't know much about welding but since the body is steel couldn't racks just be welded on at a shop?

[TomTX]

But I think for those who use trucks as trucks, the Cyber Truck won't appeal to them at all. I may be wrong.

Why is that? You're saying it won't appeal specifically in a utility sense, correct? I'm genuinely curious why. Seems quite capable and with a relatively long bed.

I may be wrong but it seems less versatile then a regular truck. I will have to take a second look though to see if it accomadate a camper shell and full roof racks (those metal kind for hauling tall ladders and long wide sheets of plywood, etc). Plus ability to tow a trailer and do all at the same time.

With those T-slots in the bed, it's going to be super easy to make all sorts of attachments and racks.

[MaaS]

What the user actually needs is usually irrelevant in this market. It's about appearance, size, and horsepower. While I find your vision for the cybertruck appealing, Tesla's version is much closer to what today's truck buyers actually want. I don't think they'd sell many if they did it your way.

[ROF Expat]

Edit to Add:  Car collectors that buy expensive, rare, etc.... cars, only to put them away in the garage and only drive them to the car show on Sunday call these vehicles "Garage Queens."  The term goes back decades, but I guess is now offensive too?  People have long named their vehicles with a woman's name, etc...  Folks need to lighten up.

One of my friends is a car collector who does call some of them "garage queens."

"Shelf queen" is a more general phrase  for unused items that are placed on a shelf where they can be seen and  appreciated.

Cars and motorcycles that get trailered to places rather than driven (presumably to keep them looking pristine) are often called "trailer queens."  It is usually a more or less disparaging term, but my impression is that the reference to a "queen" is meant to be someone who looks beautiful, but doesn't do any useful work.  Now that I think about it, I suppose it is indeed a slur if you are royalty, but I don't think it was ever intended to be homophobic slur.  I would interpret "pavement princess" the same way, although I haven't heard that term before now. 

I have gay family members and try to be thoughtful about this sort of thing.  I think there are a lot of terms that were originally intended to be offensive that have entered the lexicon and get used without thought (like Paddy Wagon).  I'm not convinced "pavement princess" is one of those.  Perception is sometimes as important as reality, though, and if a lot of people are going to interpret the term as a homophobic slur, I'll have to reconsider using it.  I wonder if this might be a little like the David Howard "niggardly" controversy.  In that case, it was clear he was not using a slur, but the affect it had on some other people (through their incorrect interpretation) was still real. 

[soccerluvof4]

Back to the truck , personally not a fan of the look as it looks more like a tank or a hummer than anything. I get what guitar is saying its just a tool but the jury is still out till I see the finished product with mirrors etc..

[TomTX]

Back to the truck , personally not a fan of the look as it looks more like a tank or a hummer than anything. I get what guitar is saying its just a tool but the jury is still out till I see the finished product with mirrors etc..

It may never have mirrors. NHTSA has been studying video systems since 2006, and is currently revising the rules to allow video systems to replace mirrors. Currently they are in the open comment period.

[powersuitrecall]

I'm hopeful that this "exoskeleton" manufacturing technology will push the boundaries of what is possible and bring a slew of new creations in the EV segment. 

For example, how cool would it be to have a scaled down hatch version of this thing?  And by scaled down I mean half the size.

[powersuitrecall]

BTW, Luap595 as an avid cyclist I totally share your fear regarding yet another tank on the road.  The saving grace may be evolving crash avoidance tech which will eventually make roads safer for everyone.

[insufFIcientfunds]

Two things one has to appreciate about the Cybertruck:

- Musk doesn't give a f**k. It's not just a truck, it's a giant stainless steel middle finger to traditional everything. Love it, hate it, no f**ks are given. People styling themselves as rebels should be able to see it, but probably won't.
- It's a near perfect match of form and function. In a traditional truck, a significant part of the exterior design is driven by aesthetics. Here everything is driven by the material, aerodynamics, and ease of manufacturing. The design wasn't bent to look cool, it looks cool as a side effect.

One aspect that hasn't got much coverage: Musk's tweet about a pressurized version of the Cybertruck being an official vehicle of Mars. Maybe a joke - but it will work on Mars. And there, nearly impregnable body and (hopefully, eventually) glass is actually a vital asset.

I think you’re spot on, and I don’t think Musk was joking about it being designed with Mars in mind. When I first saw it, I hated the look, but when I read more about the design and how it allows much higher payload and tow capacity with the exoskeleton as opposed to shell on frame, I think the ICE trucks will follow and move to exoskeleton designs in a few years.

I think these are good points. I wonder after reading this article on motor1.com if maybe Tesla does give a F? https://www.motor1.com/news/384206/tesla-cybertruck-f150-tug-war/

For all the pounding of not caring about what people think of this vehicle, etc. etc...why hook-em with an F150 if you aren't trying to prove anything?

Now if you live in a part of the country where people (I have witnessed both men and women do this, so it's gender neutral lol) judge their trucks, and their own self worth, by hooking the rear ends and pulling, you would know the drivers are absolutely trying to prove something and they most definitely give lots of F's.

You would also know when you hook you don't drop your truck in 4x4 while the other guy is in 2. So why take a 2 wheel drive, practically base model Ford and pull it? It just seems weird.

I wouldn't buy one because I have no purpose for a truck and I think people buy Musk's ideologies as much as his cars, but if a co-worker bought one I would ask for a ride!

[Boofinator]

On the topic of pavement princesses: I've never met anybody who drives a truck who never utilizes the utility of the truck. Sure, they may drive it 99% of the time as their commuter, but they still purchased the truck to accomplish some specific task that presumably a car cannot (though I've seen some cars do some pretty badass truck-like things). So even though the truck-specific functions of most trucks may rarely be used in real life, people are still purchasing these trucks with function in mind.

[MaaS]

What the user actually needs is usually irrelevant in this market. It's about appearance, size, and horsepower. While I find your vision for the cybertruck appealing, Tesla's version is much closer to what today's truck buyers actually want. I don't think they'd sell many if they did it your way.

There aren't many people who drive big trucks just for show in my area as its more of a luxury sedan or SUV crowd.  But cargo trucks and vans are very popular for both contractors and outdoor recreation here so that's what I think of when I hear "truck". As someone who had a small truck for a couple of decades, as has my sister, both used for recreational truck things,  I have trouble wrapping my mind around wanting a giant truck just for show. But I guess that's common in other parts of the county.

Interesting, are you in a rural area? A majority of trucks are sold in rural areas, where I'd call it the ultimate status symbol.

[GodlessCommie]

On the topic of pavement princesses: I've never met anybody who drives a truck who never utilizes the utility of the truck. Sure, they may drive it 99% of the time as their commuter, but they still purchased the truck to accomplish some specific task that presumably a car cannot (though I've seen some cars do some pretty badass truck-like things). So even though the truck-specific functions of most trucks may rarely be used in real life, people are still purchasing these trucks with function in mind.

1% of cases are much cheaper to accomplish with a rental.

With all due respect to people who use trucks as trucks - especially tradespeople - most truck owners do not. My own neighborhood is full of shiny pampered pickups. Heck, I know a two-truck family. One is an old workhorse. The other lives a life of leisure.

[dogboyslim]

Accessing from the sides and hauling a 5th wheel trailer are issues. Features it has other trucks don't:

Standard Tesla features (sentry mode, dog mode, ota updates, Netflix, autopilot, etc)
Adjustable suspension with self leveling bed
Tailgate ramp built in
Slots all over bed to put hooks and ties anywhere
Storage compartment on bed floor for tools so a box isn't needed (normally takes bed space)
Bed led light
Automatic bed cover to protect larger tools that can't fit in a box
Six seats standard
110v and 240v outlets
Air compressor built in

Seems pretty versatile to me. I don't know much about welding but since the body is steel couldn't racks just be welded on at a shop?

I'm wondering when the last time you looked at ICE trucks that are available today.  Most of these things are available.  The bed storage compartment is unappealing, since if you actually are hauling anything, you can't get to your tools.  You can buy most pickups today with 6 seats standard, but almost everyone upgrades to bucket seats up front, changing it to 5.  As for the air compressor and outlets, if you use them all day at a work-site, how much range does it kill?  I think from my perspective, the utility of this truck is in question because there is no information about how the use of the features (towing, heavy payload, using the outlets, using the air compressor etc) impacts range.  In an ICE with a generator, when you run out of go-juice, you just swing by the local gas station, and in 10 minutes you are ready to go and have a nice warm coffee in hand.

This truck MAY provide the same utility, but I wouldn't wager on it until I saw the results of someone else testing it out.  The Tesla X towing episode from TFL Car eliminated my confidence in the ability of the batteries to do the work and provide usable range.

[alienbogey]

Before the reveal I had been thinking that tradespeople would be a significant market for Tesla's electric truck, or any electric truck for that matter.  You know, people like plumbers, electricians, landscapers, carpenters, etc, who actually use a truck for its cargo bed, make relatively short drives every day, and park it at home every night.  Plus, the lifetime operational cost savings would make a big difference.

But, this thing looks impractical for actually being a working truck.  With a short bed ( 6.5') you can't even get a sheet of plywood or 8' 2x4 in the thing.  You can't easily access things from the side.  No practical way to build, mount, or access side tool boxes.  Mounting a headache rack looks maybe possible but difficult and probably impractical.  Unibody exoskeleton construction means you can't have a custom box built for your job site application.

Now, for the poseur truck market where the overwhelmingly most common cargo is air, well, yeah it does that at least as well as the ICE bro-dozers. 

(I can say "bro-dozer" without offending anyone, right?  Wait, let me go check urban dictionary.)

But, Rivian and Ford will be coming out with practical electric trucks so that market will eventually get served.

Addendum:  A buddy of mine has made a CyberTruck reservation to replace his Chevy Avalanche, which makes sense because the trucks are so similar save power trains.  I would gladly replace my F-350 once there is a practical working electric truck that can do so.

[Here4theGB]

In the Dallas FTW area, one is not considered a man unless he drives, at a minimum, a 1/2 ton truck.  If you were to go look in the bed of all the trucks in the parking lot of my work, 90% of them wouldn't even have a scratch in the paint in the bed, much less have any sort of need for a bedliner.  There are a ton of tradespeople using their trucks, but the vast majority are just used to commute to the office.  Drive down any suburban street here and you will see driveway after driveway filled with shiny new 50+ thousand dollar trucks sitting in the elements because they can't even fit the stupid things in their garages.

[FINate]

I've never heard of "garage queen" or any related term, but then I live in an area where car culture isn't a thing and bros don't go around comparing appendages via their trucks. I'm not familiar with the terminology but wonder: if "garage king" doesn't connote the same thing as "garage queen" then what exactly is being connoted? I'm not going to die on this hill, if using the phrase is important to you, then you do you.

[Telecaster]

On the topic of pavement princesses: I've never met anybody who drives a truck who never utilizes the utility of the truck. Sure, they may drive it 99% of the time as their commuter, but they still purchased the truck to accomplish some specific task that presumably a car cannot (though I've seen some cars do some pretty badass truck-like things). So even though the truck-specific functions of most trucks may rarely be used in real life, people are still purchasing these trucks with function in mind.

1% of cases are much cheaper to accomplish with a rental.

With all due respect to people who use trucks as trucks - especially tradespeople - most truck owners do not. My own neighborhood is full of shiny pampered pickups. Heck, I know a two-truck family. One is an old workhorse. The other lives a life of leisure.

No question there.   I think Boof's point is that people intend to use the truck features, even if they don't very often.  I see quite a few trucks around here that are four doors with a short box.  So there does seem to be a market for that type of vehicle.

When this thing first came out I was as horrified as everybody else, but now I've looked into a bit it does seem to have some features that would be useful if you intend to use your vehicle for recreation.   AC power, seats six, good towing capability, good strap down options, bed has a ramp, etc.  I don't want one, but I can see that some people might. 

[Boofinator]

I've never heard of "garage queen" or any related term, but then I live in an area where car culture isn't a thing and bros don't go around comparing appendages via their trucks. I'm not familiar with the terminology but wonder: if "garage king" doesn't connote the same thing as "garage queen" then what exactly is being connoted? I'm not going to die on this hill, if using the phrase is important to you, then you do you.

"Queen" and "princess" are feminine terms, and though some people believe masculinity and femininity are purely social constructs that result in negative outcomes for society and hence should be eliminated, others believe that these traits have biological roots and/or the social construct results in positive outcomes for society; if the latter assumptions are used, these terms and the stereotypes associated with them need not necessarily be avoided. The trait of femininity that is applicable to the topic at hand is, for lack of a better term, "sensitivity", where the female sex tends to be more attuned to negative disturbances and hence avoids them more than men; combine this attribute with the tendency of royalty in the modern day to live a pampered lifestyle in many respects, gives the terms "queen" and "princess" a double-dose of pampered-ness, where "king" or "prince" would not provide the same connotation to most people.

[MilesTeg]

I've never heard of "garage queen" or any related term, but then I live in an area where car culture isn't a thing and bros don't go around comparing appendages via their trucks. I'm not familiar with the terminology but wonder: if "garage king" doesn't connote the same thing as "garage queen" then what exactly is being connoted? I'm not going to die on this hill, if using the phrase is important to you, then you do you.

Cars, boats and other vehicles are almost as always referred to in the feminine in western culture (Russia and other eastern countries use the masculine). This isn't some closely guarded car person secret, it's pervasive in our culture.

The term garage queen is about treating a vehicle like royalty rather than as a regular car. Pampered, guarded, washed more than driven, etc. Because cars are referred to in the feminine, the title 'queen' is used. I bet in Russia it's 'garage king'.

Lots of people literally trying to find a reason to be offended in this tread.

[lemonlyman]

Accessing from the sides and hauling a 5th wheel trailer are issues. Features it has other trucks don't:

Standard Tesla features (sentry mode, dog mode, ota updates, Netflix, autopilot, etc)
Adjustable suspension with self leveling bed
Tailgate ramp built in
Slots all over bed to put hooks and ties anywhere
Storage compartment on bed floor for tools so a box isn't needed (normally takes bed space)
Bed led light
Automatic bed cover to protect larger tools that can't fit in a box
Six seats standard
110v and 240v outlets
Air compressor built in

Seems pretty versatile to me. I don't know much about welding but since the body is steel couldn't racks just be welded on at a shop?

I'm wondering when the last time you looked at ICE trucks that are available today.  Most of these things are available.  The bed storage compartment is unappealing, since if you actually are hauling anything, you can't get to your tools.  You can buy most pickups today with 6 seats standard, but almost everyone upgrades to bucket seats up front, changing it to 5.  As for the air compressor and outlets, if you use them all day at a work-site, how much range does it kill?  I think from my perspective, the utility of this truck is in question because there is no information about how the use of the features (towing, heavy payload, using the outlets, using the air compressor etc) impacts range.  In an ICE with a generator, when you run out of go-juice, you just swing by the local gas station, and in 10 minutes you are ready to go and have a nice warm coffee in hand.

This truck MAY provide the same utility, but I wouldn't wager on it until I saw the results of someone else testing it out.  The Tesla X towing episode from TFL Car eliminated my confidence in the ability of the batteries to do the work and provide usable range.

I agreed I may be lacking in comparable feature knowledge so I tried to build a Ford F-150 and a Chevrolet Silverado. Getting to 5 seats with 4 doors and a 6 1/2 foot bed already got me to $36,000+ on each. Adding any infotainment gets over $40k and I can't find the other features. I must be missing them. A bed light is most likely I would guess, but I don't see it on there. Range is a legitimate concern. Can't say until it's tested.

I think anyone who needs to haul over the Cybertruck limits frequently with long distances would of course look for a different option. The idea that this vehicle could fit all use cases is disingenuous. It does fit a lot of use cases though especially suburban commuters who use their trucks to haul new IKEA purchases.

[MilesTeg]

Accessing from the sides and hauling a 5th wheel trailer are issues. Features it has other trucks don't:

Standard Tesla features (sentry mode, dog mode, ota updates, Netflix, autopilot, etc)
Adjustable suspension with self leveling bed
Tailgate ramp built in
Slots all over bed to put hooks and ties anywhere
Storage compartment on bed floor for tools so a box isn't needed (normally takes bed space)
Bed led light
Automatic bed cover to protect larger tools that can't fit in a box
Six seats standard
110v and 240v outlets
Air compressor built in

Seems pretty versatile to me. I don't know much about welding but since the body is steel couldn't racks just be welded on at a shop?

I'm wondering when the last time you looked at ICE trucks that are available today.  Most of these things are available.  The bed storage compartment is unappealing, since if you actually are hauling anything, you can't get to your tools.  You can buy most pickups today with 6 seats standard, but almost everyone upgrades to bucket seats up front, changing it to 5.  As for the air compressor and outlets, if you use them all day at a work-site, how much range does it kill?  I think from my perspective, the utility of this truck is in question because there is no information about how the use of the features (towing, heavy payload, using the outlets, using the air compressor etc) impacts range.  In an ICE with a generator, when you run out of go-juice, you just swing by the local gas station, and in 10 minutes you are ready to go and have a nice warm coffee in hand.

This truck MAY provide the same utility, but I wouldn't wager on it until I saw the results of someone else testing it out.  The Tesla X towing episode from TFL Car eliminated my confidence in the ability of the batteries to do the work and provide usable range.

I agreed I may be lacking in comparable feature knowledge so I tried to build a Ford F-150 and a Chevrolet Silverado. Getting to 5 seats with 4 doors and a 6 1/2 foot bed already got me to $36,000+ on each. Adding any infotainment gets over $40k and I can't find the other features. I must be missing them. A bed light is most likely I would guess, but I don't see it on there. Range is a legitimate concern. Can't say until it's tested.

I think anyone who needs to haul over the Cybertruck limits frequently with long distances would of course look for a different option. The idea that this vehicle could fit all use cases is disingenuous. It does fit a lot of use cases though especially suburban commuters who use their trucks to haul new IKEA purchases.

Yeah, the only feature on that list that standard trucks can't be equipped with is a built in air compressor and the aforementioned not very useful under bed storage. Some if those things only can be equipped with aftermarket but that's a good thing. For example there are a multitude of options for a bed cover all with distinct use cases, having one built in isn't very desirable for the mass market.

[ericrugiero]

I've never heard of "garage queen" or any related term, but then I live in an area where car culture isn't a thing and bros don't go around comparing appendages via their trucks. I'm not familiar with the terminology but wonder: if "garage king" doesn't connote the same thing as "garage queen" then what exactly is being connoted? I'm not going to die on this hill, if using the phrase is important to you, then you do you.

Is this not just as offensive as the "pretty painted princess wagon" comment you didn't like earlier?  Don't get me wrong, neither comment offends me but talking about bros comparing appendages seems just as bad.  To me, the princess wagon comment sounds like it's referring to the stereotype that many "princesses" are focused on looks and don't actually do very much useful.  The reference to bros comparing appendages is about guys being insecure and linking their masculinity to having nice things that are viewed as manly.  Both stereotypes have some basis in truth but shouldn't be assumed to be true about people because it's not true of all people in either group.   

Back on the topic of the thread, I don't know that Tesla is going to have a ton of luck breaking into the older traditional pickup truck community.  The younger generation in my area likes both Tesla's and trucks so they seem like a much better target demographic.  From a practicality standpoint, the bed is more enclosed and people will be concerned about losing cargo area.  It almost looks closer to a large SUV (Chevy Tahoe). 

[neo von retorch]

I don't think the opportunity really existed for Tesla to build a $15,000 super truck. Even a massive, cash-rich company like GM could only do so much with subsidizing expensive components, though surely they can do so in a more appealing package than the Bolt.

Tesla is not trying to build a truck for everyone in my opinion.

This truck will be a status symbol. Yes, trucks as they are now can and will be used as a status symbol, but it's slightly more complex than just buying a truck. You have to be giving off certain messages. That the truck is actually capable. The stickers on the side talk mention 4WD and the special suspension. The badges prove you got a fancy, luxurious trim level.

But I know plenty of people that buy a truck to get things done. Ironically, the most work-focused don't care about double/crew cab unless they've either got a big family and have no choice, or they use their truck to haul a bunch of people to a job. But real work trucks are often regular cab with a big bed or a specialty cargo area. Work trucks are often 3/4th ton or full-ton. Yes, a few people buy those for status symbols, too, and others because the work they'll do will actually require the capabilities and durability of a beefier suspension.

But there's something important and subtle in what I've said so far. Trucks have to conform to the buyer. Configurations vary between RWD and 4WD. (This one Tesla got mostly right. I say mostly because AWD is not the same as 4WD. It can absolutely be better in a variety of situations, but not necessarily all, and some buyers will just want 4WD.) Suspensions vary all over the place. In your status symbol, it should be compliant. In your 3/4th ton, it should be massively strong and support a ton of weight. For some, it should be off-road capable. It's possible that the default suspension of the Cybertruck will adapt to all of these scenarios, but I'm dubious. Seating doesn't always have to be 6! Now, I know, the market has pretty much spoken on this. It's getting harder to buy a 2-door, 8-foot bed pickup truck these days! But there are those who want it, especially for rentals and real work. Then, beyond all that, people want to customize their truck so it's really theirs. It doesn't seem like there's much to differentiate the trucks. Will the AWD ones get stickers or anything more obvious than a small trim badge on the corner?

While full-size trucks sell best, the Tacoma (it's not small but it's smaller), is a popular option for many, too. From the original post, this is the closest to an "affordable", useful truck, though of course it also tends to be sold with four doors and a tiny truck bed. Still, there's a market for a smaller, more efficient truck. Tesla is unlikely to build this one, given how they picture trucks (based on the Cybertruck.)

If I have a point, it's that it's not up to Tesla any more. They have a goal with the Cybertruck, but it's not to sell millions of trucks. It's to change our minds a little about what trucks can be, and then let the market fill in these new itches we have to scratch. It's up to Ford and GM, and if they ever get on board, Toyota and RAM and Nissan. (Nissan seems like a pretty good candidate to make a small, affordable electric truck!)