Tesla apparently won’t begin building its promised Cybertruck until 2023 at the earliest.
It’s always difficult for journalists to get reliable information out of Tesla. Tesla is the only major automaker not to operate a public relations department that fields questions from the media. That gives reporters limited insight into Tesla’s plans. We seek unofficial comment from people close to the company. We watch the Tesla website for changes. And, we trawl CEO Elon Musk’s Twitter account for updates.
On this latest delay, we have two out of those three sources.
Reuters reports that “a person familiar with the matter” says the company “aims to start initial production of its much-anticipated Cybertruck by the end of the first quarter of 2023.”
On Tesla’s website, meanwhile, it’s still possible to order a Cybertruck today. But the order page told buyers, “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022” as recently as last week. Now it says only, “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears.”
Tesla has already officially delayed Cybertruck production at least twice, most recently in August.
The futuristic, almost brutalist-styled Cybertruck was among the first electric pickups announced. But it now trails several competitors in getting to market. Rival Rivian has already begun delivery of its R1T electric pickup. Ford has accepted so many reservations for its upcoming F-150 Lightning electric truck that it has already had to double production capacity.
General Motors expects to deliver its first GMC Hummer EV pickups within weeks and recently announced plans for a Chevy Silverado EV as well.
