Cybertruck will be the last Tesla to use stainless steel exoskeleton

[dalton108]

I don't believe that's true. Flatness was imposed by the choice of the material for the structural skin.

Effectively they wanted to make it as thin as possible for cost/weight reasons, but strong enough to contribute towards the rigidity of the vehicle. That is how they decided on the cold-rolled [stainless] steel, which is both clever and problematic. The clever part is that cold-rolled gives them [work] hardened steel without having to do post-processing (heat treatment, which for parts of that size, volume, appearance, distortion issues would be a non-starter anyway). The problematic part is that even at a relatively low thickness it's already difficult to bend and practically impossible (again cost effectively) to stamp. This is manufacturing in reverse - normally stamping would be done in the annealed state to reduce stamping tool wear and pressure requirements, but here they start with hardened material and thus can't apply traditional sheet metal processes. The fact this is stainless steel adds a bit to the naughty mix, but I don't believe it adds as much as the fact it's hardened. Most of the famous naughtiness of stainless is revealed in welding and machining processes, not as much in stamping.

Then, the choice of stainless steel for exterior had a different design basis. They wanted to reduce cost and increase volume production by eliminating the need for the paint steps. Obviously stainless is more expensive than comparable grades of carbon steel, but they wouldn't do it if the numbers weren't pretty close and overall win was achieved.



I don't believe aerodynamics is a product of size. You can have very large objects that are aerodynamic, and very small things that are the opposite. What you're citing is the drag coefficient, which indeed factors in the size as it deals with forces which will increase with object's size.

I was too busy making jokes at @CyberGus expense to remember to engage with the actual comment. Yeah I think he’s wrong on this. It’s not just stainless steel it’s HFS and Tesla absolutely said that there’s no way they could put curve in it and that’s why they had to spend all that money on air bending equipment just to fold it enough to get the truck made.

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[cybercricket]

I was too busy making jokes at @CyberGus expense to remember to engage with the actual comment. Yeah I think he’s wrong on this. It’s not just stainless steel it’s HFS and Tesla absolutely said that there’s no way they could put curve in it and that’s why they had to spend all the money on air bending just to fold it enough to get the truck made.

And for the full context, air bending is to eliminate the tool marks from the visible side.

 

[dalton108]

And for the full context, air bending is to eliminate the tool marks from the visible side.

Yep I think that most of my Intel about this came from the Sandi Munro interview the night of the cyber-rodeo.

That was a fascinating interview with everybody there right by the machines! Super cool!!

 

[REM]

The CT styling is poorly timed for this moment in history. I don’t see that changing. Shame. It’s a work of industrial art.

Agreed with absolutely everything you said, Except this part.

I wager that the CT has broken the mould for vehicle styling going forward, people just don't know it yet. I have hundreds of hours of footage of people checking my truck out.

The vast majority of which are young children; who lose their mind fawning over it. Jumping up and down, pointing and waving. Not a single other vehicle in decades has done this.

 

[REM]

And for the full context, air bending is to eliminate the tool marks from the visible side.

And fuller context, Musk can say he literally hired airbenders to build his dream-truck.

 

[REM]

6. Nazi Salute Controversy: In January 2025, Musk shared doctored images comparing Taylor Swift to Adolf Hitler, suggesting her fans were akin to the “Hitler Youth.” The images were proven fake, and Swift’s fans demanded legal action against Musk for dragging her into the controversy.
These actions have sparked significant backlash, with many accusing Musk of harassment and inappropriate behavior.

He is brilliant and arguably we would be at a loss as a species without some of his actions but wow, he is piece of work

Maybe this would help clear up how easy it is to remove context from a situation.

 

[REM]

As someone who does it every day, I’ll answer that question. Because, I have clients who are all across the political spectrum. I have employees who are all across the political spectrum.

In my office, I am agnostic in my communications with my clients and staff I am agnostic.

Maybe a little bit easier for me because I’m not a partisan (I hate both sides)! I don’t believe in belief systems and political brands! I believe in facts and solutions. I’m a pragmatist. I have STRONG opinions, but they are not defined by, informed by, or confined by my membership in any stupid political party! I don’t do teams! I pity those of you do.

But when I was a partisan (decades ago) it was my job to be neutral maybe that’s because I’m a lawyer, but I run a business just like Elon does … and we will never shut down half of our potential addressable market so that I can “express myself.”

I definitely don't subscribe to any political parties either; group think is dangerous and for the weak minded. Again, trying to throw tea leave at a market movement is ridiculous. People have claimed to be able to do that for thousands of years, and if anyone really did have it figured out they would own this planet.

I can go around in public proclaiming that I'm not going buy a Airbus A340 for private use because I don't like the CEO. That doesn't mean the price dropping suddenly is the result of my action.

Telsa is doing just fine. Millions of people around the world love these vehicles.

 

[HaulingAss]

The flatness of the Cybertruck is a choice. There are plenty of curves on my DeLorean.

Gus, you are just wrong about that. Your DeLorean can have curves because it's not made out of the kind of full-hard stainless steel the Cybertruck (and the Starship) is made with. If you look at the inner door halves (of the Cybertruck) you will see they are stamped in 3 dimensions from a very nice looking stainless steel. But it's not the full-hard stainless that forms the exterior of the Cybertruck. The inner door halves are more similar to what a DeLorean is made from vs. the Cybertruck's exterior panels. I bet the thickness is similar too (0.8 mm of the DeLorean's body panels).

But the exterior Cybertruck panels, door and body, are made of a very different metal, much harder and more damage resistant, even if the two compositions are similar. It's much thicker too.

I've kicked my Cybertruck enough times to total a Delorean's body, but on the Cybertruck it left no damage. When my boots had a muddy grit on them it left some fine scratches, too fine to feel with my fingernail, but they polished right out without any trace. The hardened stainless of the Cybertruck could not be formed into the same curves and bends that the DeLorean panels have, at least not in any manner known that would be suitable for mass production.

The flatness of the Cybertruck is not a design choice, it was mandated by the choice of materials. And for good reasons. Durability is not a gimmick; it's a valuable feature.

 

[dalton108]

I definitely don't subscribe to any political parties either; group think is dangerous and for the weak minded. Again, trying to throw tea leave at a market movement is ridiculous. People have claimed to be able to do that for thousands of years, and if anyone really did have it figured out they would own this planet.

I can go around in public proclaiming that I'm not going buy a Airbus A340 for private use because I don't like the CEO. That doesn't mean the price dropping suddenly is the result of my action.

Telsa is doing just fine. Millions of people around the world love these vehicles.

You’re absolutely right. But a fair amount of this is just … like your opinion man. [Lebowski voice].

The only strongly held opinion that I have on this subject that I am confident that I’m right about (irrespective of it being instinctual) many many liberals are absolutely dumping Tesla you only need to take a look at Reddit this is not a hoax. The brand is taking a hit. That I stand firm on I trust my gut and my powers of discernment.

I think it’s less clear how many overall customers he can replace with MAGAs.

I know that he’s not going to convert even a full fourth of real truck guys and even less than that from Tennessee regardless of what that guy was trying to suggest earlier. I know the volunteer state that ain’t happening. They’ll drink all the rest of the policy Kool-Aid but they ain’t buying no fruity shiny electric triangle truck from nobody! You can 100% forget that shit. 12 guys ain’t gonna move that needle! Ever! If half we’re thinking about it whistling diesel who isn’t from the south killed off the rest of that! Fucking crazy talk! Sorry! That shit really chapped my hide earlier.

Where was I? The last one I’m firm on is that the only reason Elon is acting so cavalier about all of this is because he doesn’t give a shit about the US market anymore it’s fine he’ll service it but that’s not where the growth is coming from it’s China!

I’ll say it again without reservation he has the freedom to say what he wants to say with reckless abandon because the Chinese don’t have a fucking clue or care about our politics such that it would stop them from buying Teslas and the new Model Y looks like it does because it’s a China first vehicle as they all will be from now on. Of everything that I’ve said, this is the one that I have the strongest conviction about.

 

[cybercricket]

Gus, you are just wrong about that. Your DeLorean can have curves because it's not made out of the kind of full-hard stainless steel the Cybertruck (and the Starship) is made with. If you look at the inner door halves (of the Cybertruck) you will see they are stamped in 3 dimensions from a very nice looking stainless steel. But it's not the full-hard stainless that forms the exterior of the Cybertruck. The inner door halves are more similar to what a DeLorean is made from vs. the Cybertruck's exterior panels. I bet the thickness is similar too (0.8 mm of the DeLorean's body panels).

But the exterior Cybertruck panels, door and body, are made of a very different metal, much harder and more damage resistant, even if the two compositions are similar. It's much thicker too.

I've kicked my Cybertruck enough times to total a Delorean's body, but on the Cybertruck it left no damage. When my boots had a muddy grit on them it left some fine scratches, too fine to feel with my fingernail, but they polished right out without any trace. The hardened stainless of the Cybertruck could not be formed into the same curves and bends that the DeLorean panels have, at least not in any manner known that would be suitable for mass production.

The flatness of the Cybertruck is not a design choice, it was mandated by the choice of materials. And for good reasons. Durability is not a gimmick; it's a valuable feature.

Starship isn't purposefully made out of hardened stainless. Coil rolling before welding could work harden those elements, but the moment Starship undergoes compressive heating all of that hardening would go away. It is a classic "pressurized coke bottle" design where the mechanical properties of the skin aren't very important. Stainless was specifically chosen for its ability to repeatedly transition between cryogenic and superheated states without significant side effects.

The only real similarity between Starship and CT is that the stainless steel could be potentially sourced in large quantities through the same supply chain leading to lower pricing. I have not seen that actually confirmed anywhere though.

 

[CyberGus]

Jumping up and down, pointing and waving. Not a single other vehicle in decades has done this.

Delorean has entered the chat

 

[CyberGus]

Flatness was imposed by the choice of the material for the structural skin.

Yeah I think he’s wrong on this. It’s not just stainless steel it’s HFS

Gus, you are just wrong about that. Your DeLorean can have curves because it's not made out of the kind of full-hard stainless steel the Cybertruck (and the Starship) is made with.

First, I was addressing the notion of curved stainless generally, not 2mm thick structural HFS.

Second, you can all suck it

 

[cyberos]

By “air-bending manufacturing process,” Tesla is refering to how the Cybertruck’s hard stainless steel is bent into various shapes. Tesla passes high-pressure air between the machine and the stainless steel surface, allowing the steel to bend without directly touching the manufacturing equipment.

The last air bender

 

[HaulingAss]

Starship isn't purposefully made out of hardened stainless.

Yes, it is. Tesla went through numerous iterations of different metals for the skin and settled upon a slightly modified 304L (low carbon) stainless steel 1/4 to 1/2 hard (cold rolled). I don't think SpaceX has ever thoroughly explained all the engineering considerations used, but the material was not chosen accidently, it was chosen for it's favorable combination of properties.

Coil rolling before welding could work harden those elements, but the moment Starship undergoes compressive heating all of that hardening would go away.

It's not "coil rolling". it's "cold rolled". Cold rolling stainless alloys does more than harden the material, that's just one property change of many. It also densifies the surface making it more uniform and corroision resistant, with fewer microscopic voids, amongst other benefits.

It is a classic "pressurized coke bottle" design where the mechanical properties of the skin aren't very important. Stainless was specifically chosen for its ability to repeatedly transition between cryogenic and superheated states without significant side effects.

The mechanical properties of the skin are very important for the overall structural robustness. Yes, that includes it's ability to maintain strength at high temperatures.

The only real similarity between Starship and CT is that the stainless steel could be potentially sourced in large quantities through the same supply chain leading to lower pricing. I have not seen that actually confirmed anywhere though.

They are slightly different alloys, each tailored to requirements specific to each application. The Cybertruck has a higher chromium content for increased corrosion resistance. But as far as the world of stainless steel alloys go, they are quite similar.

 

[REM]

You’re absolutely right. But a fair amount of this is just … like your opinion man. [Lebowski voice].

The only strongly held opinion that I have on this subject that I am confident that I’m right about (irrespective of it being instinctual) many many liberals are absolutely dumping Tesla you only need to take a look at Reddit this is not a hoax. The brand is taking a hit. That I stand firm on I trust my gut and my powers of discernment.

I think it’s less clear how many overall customers he can replace with MAGAs.

I know that he’s not going to convert even a full fourth of real truck guys and even less than that from Tennessee regardless of what that guy was trying to suggest earlier. I know the volunteer state that ain’t happening. They’ll drink all the rest of the policy Kool-Aid but they ain’t buying no fruity shiny electric triangle truck from nobody! You can 100% forget that shit. 12 guys ain’t gonna move that needle! Ever! If half we’re thinking about it whistling diesel who isn’t from the south killed off the rest of that! Fucking crazy talk! Sorry! That shit really chapped my hide earlier.

Where was I? The last one I’m firm on is that the only reason Elon is acting so cavalier about all of this is because he doesn’t give a shit about the US market anymore it’s fine he’ll service it but that’s not where the growth is coming from it’s China!

I’ll say it again without reservation he has the freedom to say what he wants to say with reckless abandon because the Chinese don’t have a fucking clue or care about our politics such that it would stop them from buying Teslas and the new Model Y looks like it does because it’s a China first vehicle as they all will be from now on. Of everything that I’ve said this is the one that I have the strongest conviction about.

Good points on both sides, but I'm not sold yet on idea that politics are a significant motivator of purchasing a truck since the CT speaks on its own engineering merits. I have actually spent the last several months rural TN, and there are a ton of questions from everyone. Haven't met anyone yet that wasn't blown away.

And I'm not the only one driving this truck in the area either.

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