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Tesla unveiled the first version of its all-electric pickup truck. The company says it will be capable of towing up to 14,000 pounds, with maximum payload of 3,500 pounds.
That it can withstand sledgehammers and bullets, but apparently not metal balls that are thrown at close range.
What Happened?
Elon Musk introduced the Cybertruck at an event on Nov. 21, 2019. An on-stage demo that was supposed to showcase the truck’s breakproof glass went wrong as the glass broke.
The Tesla Cybertruck with the bed open and ready to load, from a promotional shot on the company’s web site.
The cybertruck, which looks like something out of a 1980s post-apocalyptic movie, will have three versions. The base model is $39,900, with a range of 250 miles and a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
A second model will be $49,900, with a range of 300 miles and a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The $69,900 Tesla cybertruck will have a range of 500 miles and a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds.
Self-driving features, which are not yet available, will cost $7,000. Reservations start at $100.
Why It Matters
Analysts expect the Tesla pickup, which Musk has said would combine the performance of a Porsche 911 sports car with the functionality of Ford’s industry-leading F-150 full-size truck, to debut in late 2021 or early 2022.
The pickup’s introduction will shift Tesla more toward trucks and SUVs, where Detroit’s automakers get most of their profits.
Tesla has so far sold mostly Model S and Model 3 sedans, but it also offers the Model X SUV and, starting next year, the Model Y compact SUV.
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