Toyota Testing Cybertruck

[BannedByTMC]

Our sources tell us that Toyota engineers performing the benchmarking activities were impressed by the Cybertruck’s performance and futuristic features, though the biggest grins were caused by sampling the Hummer EV… though that’s a story for a different time.

https://motrolix.com/2024/02/toyota-benchmarking-tesla-cybertruck-in-michigan-photos/

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[Cybertruck2024]

https://motrolix.com/2024/02/toyota-benchmarking-tesla-cybertruck-in-michigan-photos/

If there's one truck that has me wondering if I'm spending my cash right, it's the Hummer. I imagine that the Toyota testers had an AWD CT vs a Hummer, so not really a fair comparison. I'd love to see more head to head videos of Beast vs. Hummer, they are essentially the same cost due to FS upcharge. I like the CT more, but the two things the Hummer has that I like are the open air and depreciation will be less.

 

[BannedByTMC]

depreciation will be less.

I'm not sure that's going to be true, especially since no one can even sell a used CT for a while.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

I'm not sure that's going to be true, especially since no one can even sell a used CT for a while.

The way I figure it, the stuff the FS adds is of personal value to me, but won't add any resale. The second the non-FS CTs are on the road, the FS is worth $20k less. Look at resale of FSD across any Tesla, there's not an equivalent worthless from a resale value feature in the Hummer. Then if the AWD gets the tax rebate, it will immediately be worth $27k less. I'm not a great mathematician, but I don't know how this could be argued.

The only way I suppose I could be wrong is if the first non-FS also have a no resale clause and new buyers can't get a CT for 2-3 years due to slow production ramp. In this scenario, FS get to have the used market all to themselves for a year. But even still, 2 year depreciation would likely beat the Hummer, 5 year certainly won't. I'd bet $5K right now that the 5 year depreciation rate of a 2024 FS AWD CT vs a 2024 Hummer EV will be worse, I'm fully confident in that assessment.

There also isn't an entry level $60k ($53k after rebate)Hummer, which helps to lower the overall prestige of the vehicle. Anyone who's driving a Hummer spent some serious cash, some CTs will be the cost of an average new vehicle. To some buyers, they want to send this message.

 

[BannedByTMC]

The way I figure it, the stuff the FS adds is of personal value to me, but won't add any resale.

You aren't the only person who sees value in paying extra for the FS so I'm not sure why you apply zero value to it on resale.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

You aren't the only person who sees value in paying extra for the FS so I'm not sure why you apply zero value to it on resale.

Teslas with FSD typically sell for about $1k more than Teslas without it. That's not a made up number, it is what it is.

The credit for stuff installed at my house has no value to anyone else. If I continue to use whatever is installed, that has longterm value for me. If my next vehicle doesn't use the backup power, then it has no value.

Would someone rather pay a premium for a used early off the line CT with white interior and etching on the side versus a brand new CT? Seems unlikely to me.

 

[BannedByTMC]

So what value is added for you that's worth $20K?

 

[Outdoors]

There is one wondering around Commerce Twp. MI for the last month or so. Wasn't a Michigan delivery. In a subdivision near there. From what I hear a the local liquor store this is a tear down group like Sandy. I get special bottles of bourbon for clients. So this is common place around SE Michigan. Not just big three. Down in A2 there is Big T's tech place.

So I guess Dirty Tesla can still claim first if he is. Tear downs don't count. Sucks paying Michigan sales tax however for him.

Yet I am just some guy wandering in the woods. With a dog. Lets not forget her.

Edit when I say common place. Examples. Many of friends and family drive other OEM's cars for a month or two. Write a report based on factors and turn it in with car. Some get a new car every couple weeks, sometimes months. Benchmarking.

 

[cgladue]

So what value is added for you that's worth $20K?

people who want FSD anyways and people who want the truck NOW are validating that the 20k upcharge has value. there is no denying that thee isnt 20k of tangible value included. i hate FSD and wish i didnt have to buy it to get my truck early, but to me getting it early is worth the 20k premium.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

So what value is added for you that's worth $20K?

EAP = $6K. I'd pay $1k for FSD, now we're at $7k. For the white interior and etching, I'd pay $1k, so now we're at $8k. $4k installation fees + $2k eqiupment for home power (estimate) = $14k worth of stuff. $3k for the upgraded wheels = $17k. Light bar = $500. Premium connectivity = $500. $500 for the various other stuff (all weather mats, etc.) = $18.5k. $1.5k markup to get the truck early. That's my personal rationale for paying for FS.

Now for resale purposes, there's about $5,500 of stuff in there that's transferable and has any value (tires, white interior, accessories). When a non-FS comes out, no one is going to pay a premium anywhere near the original purchaser's $20k investment in a used FS. I'd assume that premium depreciates $15k the second a non-FS is on offer, or more like $20k if non-FS gets the full $7,500 tax rebate. I'd love to see someone share their math of why they disagree, would be interesting.

 

[Gigahorse]

https://motrolix.com/2024/02/toyota-benchmarking-tesla-cybertruck-in-michigan-photos/

Surprised that Toyota is so late to the EV game, will likely be a significant competitor to Tesla in the mid/low range budget category if they put resources behind it given their track record with other vehicles.

 

[HaulingAss]

Surprised that Toyota is so late to the EV game, will likely be a significant competitor to Tesla in the mid/low range budget category if they put resources behind it given their track record with other vehicles.

Toyota will not a be a significant competitor to Tesla in the EV space because Tesla already manufacturers EVs a lot more efficiently than Toyota can and Tesla is continuously lowering their costs. No big advertising spends, no top-heavy management structure, very few manufacturing facilities per vehicle sold compared to Toyota, no dealerships, no in-house battery manufacturing, no inhouse gigacasting, etc. etc. etc.

Under the bodypanels, EVs are completely different from ICE vehicles and Toyota has very little experience manufacturing EVs and zero experience making batteries. If they do well, they might be competitive with Tesla by 2033, at the earliest. Kodak invented the digital camera but they still failed to make the transition from film to digital and went bankrupt. Toyota will be able to hang on for years, but they will be constantly shrinking their ICE production and it's doubtful they will be able to ramp EVs to high volume at a competitive price point.

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