Finally got to see the Cybertruck Unicorn in person after 4yrs... it's so badass and appears much larger

[anionic1]

I think a lot of the pressure on EV sales is due to other manufacturers not being able to keep prices competitive. EVs are more expensive and with interest rates high and the economy globally facing challenges, that’s not good for the priciest of EVs. Many manufacturers got blinded by the sudden boom in premium EVs and invested into that space in the market, but were caught off guard by the economy and also by Tesla’s ability to come down rapidly in price.

This is why I think it’s essential the Cybertruck keeps prices competitive.

I wonder how long it can last. It’s like some of these other companies are selling flip phones and Tesla is the iPhone. I am just glad the rebates got out in place already in the US. I have to imagine the other big manufacturers are screaming at the government to do something to slow Tesla down.

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[cvalue13]

It really is a thing of beauty. I think all the haters are going to be quickly shut down when it becomes the best selling vehicle in the US

Don’t get me wrong, the design of the truck is one of the main reasons I’m interested in it.

I’m tangentially in the design world (I do business consulting work for high-end modern furniture and product companies, collect 60s/70s Italian modern furniture and products, etc.). By no means am I a pro or an academic in the space, but only to say it’s a topic I feel I have *some* considered views on - and especially when it comes to the sort of Italian-modern/inspired designs like the Cybertruck.

On that view: the Cybertruck design is and will remain divisive. And it won’t be a 50/50 split. The fat part of the bell curve will have slow to no uptake towards the CT design. Conversely, the people who like or love the design will be at both tailing ends of the curve.

This, to me, is a marketing reality of design that is ironically overlooked by the CT fans who exclaim “other trucks are so boring!” As though that middling design is an oversight on the part of traditional OEMs.

Go do a rough design survey of other major purchase products, such as homes, furnishings, etc, and they’ll all evidence this bell curve. Homes in your town are largely designed as non-divisive, if not bland. Furnishings stores are 99-to-1 the same. It’s not because these home builders and furnishing “designers” are unaware of how to be design-forward. It’s because the vast majority of buyers seek, if only subconsciously, to blend in and have widely palatable market appeal. Not just in the moment, but also for design longevity: inconspicuous design is a safe play from the perspective of not aging poorly, as what is “forward” in design today becomes “dated” more quickly.

For that matter, look at the Tesla vehicles before the Cybertruck. The Model 3, Y, X and S, are all of broadly marketable and understated design language. *That* also wasn’t an oversight on Tesla’s part.

So while there will be people who find the Cybertruck design immediately appealing in its own right, they’ll exist at both the front tail of the bell curve, and again at the back tail. Those group will grow a bit as folks become more accustomed, but will also construct a bit as what was “forward” today becomes “rearward.” Others will come to the CT not because but despite its design, depending on what features and value are offered.

But the far part of the curve, will remain large and repulsed by the CT design. This group will consist of those who want to blend in, but also those who are interested in design and don’t take to the CTs particular design proposition.

Traditional trucks are among the best selling not despite, but because, they approach design with an eye towards the fat part of the bell curve.

Just one guy’s view.

 

[Crissa]

I wonder how long it can last. It’s like some of these other companies are selling flip phones and Tesla is the iPhone. I am just glad the rebates got out in place already in the US. I have to imagine the other big manufacturers are screaming at the government to do something to slow Tesla down.

Alas, that's not how the government works, at least not with Democrats. Biden did all the cajoling he could, and they need to not just compete with Tesla, but with their ICE based market.

Which Tesla handily has done the entire time, their TCO has always been competitive. Now their initial prices are comparable.

-Crissa

 

[anionic1]

Alas, that's not how the government works, at least not with Democrats. Biden did all the cajoling he could, and they need to not just compete with Tesla, but with their ICE based market.

Which Tesla handily has done the entire time, their TCO has always been competitive. Now their initial prices are comparable.

-Crissa

In my experience it’s wild how the big money can move policy to benefit the corporation that pet the politicians the most and Tesla isn’t doing a lot of petting. It wouldn’t take much to make policy much less favorable to Tesla

 

[Crissa]

It would be difficult because Tesla is so good at positioning itself.

-Crissa

 

[jasper7821]

It would be difficult because Tesla is so good at positioning itself.

-Crissa

Exactly

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