Two years overdue, Tesla has finally delivered its highly anticipated Cybertruck, with a base model priced at $61,000—$21,000 more than initially promised by CEO Elon Musk four years ago. However, this entry-level variant won't be available until 2025. The first deliveries to reservation holders commenced at the Austin, Texas event, where Musk personally oversaw the proceedings. Tesla's website indicates that two other versions, an all-wheel drive model (estimated at $80,000) and a premium "Cyberbeast" model (estimated at $100,000), are slated for release next year.
Despite Musk's announcement that mass production will begin in 2025 with a target of 250,000 units per year, potential buyers without existing reservations—currently exceeding 1 million—might face extended waiting periods. Tesla recently increased the reservation fee to $250, doubling its previous amount. The Cybertruck boasts a base model range of 250 miles per charge, with the premium Cyberbeast offering 320 miles. However, these figures fall short when compared to competitors like the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning. In terms of power, the Cybertruck demonstrated its capabilities at the Austin event, showcasing the premium model outpacing a Porsche 911 while towing another. Notably, the base model accelerates from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds, with the all-wheel drive variant (available next year) achieving 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The premium model, expected in 2024, can reach top speeds of 130 mph, accelerate from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds, and tow an impressive 11,000 pounds. The Cybertruck holds significant importance for Tesla as its first new vehicle in three years and marks the company's entry into the pickup truck market. Its performance and reception will likely influence the transition to electric vehicles, particularly in the United States. While Tesla enjoys remarkable success and is the most valuable automaker globally, the Cybertruck's development faced substantial delays and challenges. Design intricacies and the use of stainless steel posed engineering obstacles, and as of early 2022, Tesla encountered issues with braking, handling, noise, and leaks in preproduction versions. Elon Musk, known for his controversial statements, maintained a defiant stance during the event, emphasizing the Cybertruck's unconventional design as a breakthrough. Tesla's stock price experienced a 1.8 percent decline after the rollout. With over 1 million reservations, potential buyers may still have to wait until 2025 for their Cybertrucks, reflecting both the vehicle's popularity and Tesla's production ramp-up plans.
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