Is Cybertruck demand dwindling?

[HaulingAss]

The dual motor CT is a badass truck, but it's not the only game in town; and at some point someone will ask themselves if spending an additional 10% for the CT is worth the delta.

I wouldn't put up with Ford or GM software at any price. Life is too short to have stupid software. Plus, their interior styling just gives me the creeps. These two things alone stop me from buying a Ford or a GM. But there is a lot more than that that disqualifies them:

1) Their dealership network. No way, no how.
2) Their fragile bodywork. Now that I've experienced how much better it is to have a truck that is actually tough, that doesn't get damaged just because you use it in rugged environments, I could never go back to what I had, a truck that I had to baby. I can't do this with my F-150 unless I'm willing to live with the consequences:


With the Cybertruck, there are no consequences! That's a big deal. Make sure you turn up the volume and put on your headphones for this quick 2-minute sample video. I've spent hours beating through brush like this with zero consequence. It's not even fun in painted vehicle, I can't stop thinking about trashing the clearcoat by grinding mud and dirt into it, and it's no fun to be constantly clearing debris that gets caught on the mirrors of traditional trucks. The wedge shape of the Cybertruck, and its mirrors, parts brush like the hand of God parting the Red Sea. No joke.

3) Off-road capability. The Lightning and the GM products can't go places the Cybertruck can easily go. This is not hyperbole, it's my direct experience. The Cybertruck is another class compared to any other pickup save for perhaps the insanely expensive and gas guzzling Ford Raptor R that has inadequate towing/hauling capacity. Even that has less ground clearance.

4) The nimbleness and ease of manuevering when space is constricted. I know how to drive a full-sized truck in tight environments, I've been doing it my entire life. I always assumed that difficulty was just one of the downsides of a full-sized truck. Now I know better, I know I can have the best of both worlds, a full-sized truck and bed, and magical maneuverability. I could never go back to a regular truck. Too much work.

5) I only use FSD periodically, in special situations (or to test it out), but the first 6 months of Cybertruck ownership without FSD was far more painful than I imagined it would be. And no, BlueCruise and Supercruise cannot replace FSD, not even close.

I could go on and on, but I wanted to stick to things that actually disqualified the competition from any consideration (at least for me). I don't care if this one or that one will do MOST of what I want it to do, I don't want to own a whole fleet of different trucks for different purposes, if I can pay $20K more for one truck that can do it all, and feel good doing it, then that's the only truck I want.

This is why I say, at least for me, there is no competition at any price.

Sponsored

 

[Mini2nut]

My first reservation in 2019 was for the RWD trim.

My second and third were for the AWD model. I have since cancelled both AWD reservations but kept my original RWD reservation.

I am hoping the RWD trim goes into production in 2025 at the $60,990 MSRP.

 

[ABILISK]

I wouldn't put up with Ford or GM software at any price. Life is too short to have stupid software. Plus, their interior styling just gives me the creeps. These two things alone stop me from buying a Ford or a GM. But there is a lot more than that that disqualifies them:

1) Their dealership network. No way, no how.
2) Their fragile bodywork. Now that I've experienced how much better it is to have a truck that is actually tough, that doesn't get damaged just because you use it in rugged environments, I could never go back to what I had, a truck that I had to baby. I can't do this with my F-150 unless I'm willing to live with the consequences:


With the Cybertruck, there are no consequences! That's a big deal. Make sure you turn up the volume and put on your headphones for this quick 2-minute sample video. I've spent hours beating through brush like this with zero consequence. It's not even fun in painted vehicle, I can't stop thinking about trashing the clearcoat by grinding mud and dirt into it, and it's no fun to be constantly clearing debris that gets caught on the mirrors of traditional trucks. The wedge shape of the Cybertruck, and its mirrors, parts brush like the hand of God parting the Red Sea. No joke.

3) Off-road capability. The Lightning and the GM products can't go places the Cybertruck can easily go. This is not hyperbole, it's my direct experience. The Cybertruck is another class compared to any other pickup save for perhaps the insanely expensive and gas guzzling Ford Raptor R that has inadequate towing/hauling capacity. Even that has less ground clearance.

4) The nimbleness and ease of manuevering when space is constricted. I know how to drive a full-sized truck in tight environments, I've been doing it my entire life. I always assumed that difficulty was just one of the downsides of a full-sized truck. Now I know better, I know I can have the best of both worlds, a full-sized truck and bed, and magical maneuverability. I could never go back to a regular truck. Too much work.

5) I only use FSD periodically, in special situations (or to test it out), but the first 6 months of Cybertruck ownership without FSD was far more painful than I imagined it would be. And no, BlueCruise and Supercruise cannot replace FSD, not even close.

I could go on and on, but I wanted to stick to things that actually disqualified the competition from any consideration (at least for me). I don't care if this one or that one will do MOST of what I want it to do, I don't want to own a whole fleet of different trucks for different purposes, if I can pay $20K more for one truck that can do it all, and feel good doing it, then that's the only truck I want.

This is why I say, at least for me, there is no competition at any price.

Well put and I totally agree. It can replace your Ram 3500 AND your Challenger Hellcat. While being more maneuverable and far cheaper to drive than either of them. No competition whatsoever.

 

[VAF84]

Have you gotten to test drive a CT yet? Because once you do you realize it is the only game in town. Nothing else is even close to being in the same league. The extra money is well spent.

I did, and aside from primarily steering and the tighter suspension that I did appreciate in the CT, I personally did not find it a crazy different driving experience. Acceleration was roughly the same to me, in fact the seat of the pants meter the Lightning gave a sensation of stronger acceleration. Doesn't mean I didn't like the CT, I thought it was really cool. However, I went directly from my Lightning Extended Range into the CT, and the difference did not blow me out of the water. I'd still take the CT over the Lightning at a similar price point. My main problem was range, and CT holds the bottom for range along with the Lightning as of now. The follow up minor issue was I can fit the kids in car seats more easily in the legacy trucks. CT was bit narrow. Love the CT though, these are just some facts and my personal experience. Again, range was by a large margin the number one reason I passed on it and that can't be fixed right now.

I wouldn't put up with Ford or GM software at any price. Life is too short to have stupid software. Plus, their interior styling just gives me the creeps. These two things alone stop me from buying a Ford or a GM. But there is a lot more than that that disqualifies them:

1) Their dealership network. No way, no how.
2) Their fragile bodywork. Now that I've experienced how much better it is to have a truck that is actually tough, that doesn't get damaged just because you use it in rugged environments, I could never go back to what I had, a truck that I had to baby. I can't do this with my F-150 unless I'm willing to live with the consequences:


With the Cybertruck, there are no consequences! That's a big deal. Make sure you turn up the volume and put on your headphones for this quick 2-minute sample video. I've spent hours beating through brush like this with zero consequence. It's not even fun in painted vehicle, I can't stop thinking about trashing the clearcoat by grinding mud and dirt into it, and it's no fun to be constantly clearing debris that gets caught on the mirrors of traditional trucks. The wedge shape of the Cybertruck, and its mirrors, parts brush like the hand of God parting the Red Sea. No joke.

3) Off-road capability. The Lightning and the GM products can't go places the Cybertruck can easily go. This is not hyperbole, it's my direct experience. The Cybertruck is another class compared to any other pickup save for perhaps the insanely expensive and gas guzzling Ford Raptor R that has inadequate towing/hauling capacity. Even that has less ground clearance.

4) The nimbleness and ease of manuevering when space is constricted. I know how to drive a full-sized truck in tight environments, I've been doing it my entire life. I always assumed that difficulty was just one of the downsides of a full-sized truck. Now I know better, I know I can have the best of both worlds, a full-sized truck and bed, and magical maneuverability. I could never go back to a regular truck. Too much work.

5) I only use FSD periodically, in special situations (or to test it out), but the first 6 months of Cybertruck ownership without FSD was far more painful than I imagined it would be. And no, BlueCruise and Supercruise cannot replace FSD, not even close.

I could go on and on, but I wanted to stick to things that actually disqualified the competition from any consideration (at least for me). I don't care if this one or that one will do MOST of what I want it to do, I don't want to own a whole fleet of different trucks for different purposes, if I can pay $20K more for one truck that can do it all, and feel good doing it, then that's the only truck I want.

This is why I say, at least for me, there is no competition at any price.

I think in your situation it makes a ton of sense. The CT is an amazing truck. I love the video!

I continue to just make the point that, if this is supposed to be a mass market vehicle, it will have to compete on price and range which is the biggest obstacle to EV adoption. If you want this to be a niche product along the lines of "Jeep", then yea, pricing isn't as big an issue and it will remain an enthusiast vehicle.

 

[HaulingAss]

My main problem was range, and CT holds the bottom for range along with the Lightning as of now. The follow up minor issue was I can fit the kids in car seats more easily in the legacy trucks. CT was bit narrow. Love the CT though, these are just some facts and my personal experience. Again, range was by a large margin the number one reason I passed on it and that can't be fixed right now.

I don't know how you can talk about about range seperately from the charge network and charging speed (in miles added per minute of charging). Yes, I know both Ford and GM have limited access (at a higher price) to the Supercharger Network, but that isn't the complete Supercharger experience (only roughly half of the Supercharger locations are available).

I think it takes some people coming directly from an ICE background time to figure out that the quality of the charging network is actually more important, once a vehicle has ~300 miles of range, than whether the vehicle has an additional 100 miles or not. If travelling Interstates is a big part of the use case, then the efficiency at freeway speeds, and charging speed, are both part of the equation, both from a cost perspective (because the only truly cheap electricity is at home or work, not at DCFCers), and from a speed/convenience perspective.

I use my Model 3 Performance with free Supercharging for fast, long trips because it is far superior for that when compared to a truck, Cheaper (assuming I had to pay for electricity), faster, more convenient. But, for those who do use a truck for long Interstate trips, the 100 extra miles of range doesn't mean much at all if you don't have full use of the Supercharger Network. And with lower efficiency, and a larger "tank" to fill, your DCFCing experience is not going to be all that fast or cost effective. In other words, I don't think the 400+ mile range that seems to dominate your thinking to be as relevant or beneficial as you think it is.

I'm just throwing that out there as someone with experience travelling long distances in an EV. What matters to the speed and convenience of long-range travel is not what most ICE motorists think. Remember, GM designed their trucks with big battery capacities before they knew they would have partial access to the Supercharger Network. And I suppose it's still a good thing they did that, since they didn't get complete access, but 400 miles of range is not the silver bullet many seem to think it is. That said, the Lighting has less range than either, poor highway efficiency, and no full access to the SC Network, so it's in an even more disadvantaged position.

 

[Mini2nut]

I test drove a Cybertruck. The one major differentiating feature that the CT enjoys from every other ICE/BEV pickup is the amazing SBW and RWS. It’s a game changer in the pickup segment.

 

[countryboy]

My first reservation in 2019 was for the RWD trim.

My second and third were for the AWD model. I have since cancelled both AWD reservations but kept my original RWD reservation.

I am hoping the RWD trim goes into production in 2025 at the $60,990 MSRP.

Or with efficiencies of mass producing so many identical vehicles, what about SW limiting AWD for a discount? You need 4x4? Pay $200 for one time stuck removal, or $5k for permanent AWD, or $10k for 4x4 and full range! So glad this came free with my FS

 

[countryboy]

@HaulingAss - thanks.. I have been afraid to go bushwhacking, even though I have been saying what you're saying since 2019... got a bit scared, but your vid has convinced me to go hit the overgrown trails I've been avoiding... Hope my plastics don't look like $h!t! Have you tried rolling over 1-2" saplings growing in the middle of the trail? No issues with cooling vent destruction or trees getting stuck where they shouldn't and borking something? Wondering how bad it will be if I pretend its a gen1 hummer and just don't give a Fk... would like to see you HAULINGASS on that trail instead of being so careful

 

[MyOtherTruck]

I grew up on pick up trucks, have a F250 and a Gwagon (not a pick up I know). I've been and sorta still am a "e-car" basher. But I will say this, I LOVE the software in the cybertruck. I love the features like stalkless steering wheel and rear wheel drive. And the FSD is just critically amazing. I can not imagine myself NOT having a cybertruck or Tesla product in my future. When I get in my other vehicles - they just feel a bit stupid. Dont get my wrong, LOVE the rumble of the v8s and the indestructable interior of the benz, but I do wish it had the simplified software as the CT.

In sort, I expect demand to be around for long time, but perhaps lower prices? I really want a cyber SUV now. (I dont like the Y or X much in design - I want something defender-ish and yes, ill sacrifice distance Cheers all!

 

[Hunky Dory]

I wouldn't put up with Ford or GM software at any price. Life is too short to have stupid software. Plus, their interior styling just gives me the creeps. These two things alone stop me from buying a Ford or a GM. But there is a lot more than that that disqualifies them:

1) Their dealership network. No way, no how.
2) Their fragile bodywork. Now that I've experienced how much better it is to have a truck that is actually tough, that doesn't get damaged just because you use it in rugged environments, I could never go back to what I had, a truck that I had to baby. I can't do this with my F-150 unless I'm willing to live with the consequences:


With the Cybertruck, there are no consequences! That's a big deal. Make sure you turn up the volume and put on your headphones for this quick 2-minute sample video. I've spent hours beating through brush like this with zero consequence. It's not even fun in painted vehicle, I can't stop thinking about trashing the clearcoat by grinding mud and dirt into it, and it's no fun to be constantly clearing debris that gets caught on the mirrors of traditional trucks. The wedge shape of the Cybertruck, and its mirrors, parts brush like the hand of God parting the Red Sea. No joke.

3) Off-road capability. The Lightning and the GM products can't go places the Cybertruck can easily go. This is not hyperbole, it's my direct experience. The Cybertruck is another class compared to any other pickup save for perhaps the insanely expensive and gas guzzling Ford Raptor R that has inadequate towing/hauling capacity. Even that has less ground clearance.

4) The nimbleness and ease of manuevering when space is constricted. I know how to drive a full-sized truck in tight environments, I've been doing it my entire life. I always assumed that difficulty was just one of the downsides of a full-sized truck. Now I know better, I know I can have the best of both worlds, a full-sized truck and bed, and magical maneuverability. I could never go back to a regular truck. Too much work.

5) I only use FSD periodically, in special situations (or to test it out), but the first 6 months of Cybertruck ownership without FSD was far more painful than I imagined it would be. And no, BlueCruise and Supercruise cannot replace FSD, not even close.

I could go on and on, but I wanted to stick to things that actually disqualified the competition from any consideration (at least for me). I don't care if this one or that one will do MOST of what I want it to do, I don't want to own a whole fleet of different trucks for different purposes, if I can pay $20K more for one truck that can do it all, and feel good doing it, then that's the only truck I want.

This is why I say, at least for me, there is no competition at any price.

But ... but I read on a forum that fingerprints would destroy a Cybertruck!

 

[HaulingAss]

@HaulingAss - thanks.. I have been afraid to go bushwhacking, even though I have been saying what you're saying since 2019... got a bit scared, but your vid has convinced me to go hit the overgrown trails I've been avoiding... Hope my plastics don't look like $h!t! Have you tried rolling over 1-2" saplings growing in the middle of the trail? No issues with cooling vent destruction or trees getting stuck where they shouldn't and borking something? Wondering how bad it will be if I pretend its a gen1 hummer and just don't give a Fk... would like to see you HAULINGASS on that trail instead of being so careful

The plastics will never look brand new again, but they don't seem to degrade much at all. They still look nice, not destroyed. They look like they can take a lot more of this kind of abuse without looking like they have been through Armageddon. The plastics have different levels of stiffness, depending upon what kind of abuse they are expected to take. The bumper covers are the most flexible, able to absorb impact without cracking (but showing scratches easier) while the mirrors and fender flares are stiffer and more scratch resistant. All of them are replaceable at reasonable prices compared to similar sized parts on legacy vehicles.

Rolling over 1-2" saplings growing in the middle of the trail? Smaller ones would be fine, as they get bigger and stiffer eventually you will hit the point where they break the plastic air dam. It depends upon how flexible they are. The vast majority of my bushwacking is from side vegetation. For this kind of heavy bushwacking you want to remove all four wheel fairings.

If you just don't give a shit about a little plastic damage, I think it's designed so you can generally get away with some pretty inadvisable stuff without puncturing the radiator or having any catastrophic failures. Being "tough" in adverse situations was a primary design goal that Elon insisted upon. Of course, as Cybertruck data comes back from the field, if there were non-optimal design decisions in terms of vulnerabilities, Tesla will, over the years, make small changes that address any discovered vulnerabilities. I haven't discovered any yet, beyond the 4 little wheel fairings that protude down in front of each wheel that the Owner's Manual advises to remove before off-roading. In the name of science, I decided to let them self-remove. Most of them succumbed to hard impact on rugged ground (one on ice), but I think one did get self-removed while backing up through woody saplings. If you will be driving though heavy snowplow debris that can contain big "boulders" of re-frozen ice chunks, you do not want the wheel fairings installed. They are by far the most vulnerable of all the plastics. Take those off and the truck can handle alot!

 

[kpanda17]

Piling up for their delivery to customers. Let's not forget that Tesla ideally wants about 2 weeks from order to delivery. I'd say at present build rate suits orders well.

No CT inventory in my area

 

[BayouCityBob]

The universe of buyers for $100K and $120K vehicles is vanishingly small. ...

The bottom line is there never was going to be a very high conversion rate at the price point of these vehicles.

I keep reading variations of this comment and I do not think the data supports it. The top 1% of households has a net worth of $11 million or more and the top 2% have a net worth of $2.7 million. So having a couple of $100k vehicles in your garage requires how much in net assets (I know it will also depend on income for some people)? Let's say around $4 million in net worth? That equates to just under 2 million households and represents ~4 million vehicles.

So if the installed base of customers at this price point is 4 million vehicles or about 800k per year in new vehicle sales, it is hardly vanishingly small. It is most definitely not a huge market segment, but it is not small.

And then there are a bunch of folks who are income rich and asset modest with a net worth down in the top 10% ($1 million) but a top 5% income ($400k household). If you include just the top 5% of income it is another 6.5 million households and around a 2.5 million vehicles a year sold. And, of course, the high net worth are not necessarily high income (retirees) so between the two groups of top 5% of income and top 2% net worth, you are nearing 3 million vehicle sales per year.

All of which is to say that aiming for the top-tier households can be a pretty big (though highly competitive) market and certainly big enough to support six-digit sales if the vehicle is very popular even at these prices.

 

[Stinky10r]

that doesn't get damaged just because you use it in rugged environments

Remember this when you make a warranty claim.

 

[CYBER CHESKO]

Hey I want 4 of them so I don’t know about that lol

Sponsored