Tesla's first Cybertruck rolls out of Texas factory


Tesla’s futuristic Cybertruck is finally built in its Texas Gigabyte factory after nearly two years of delays, bringing the long-awaited EV pickup truck closer to an anticipated 2023 release.

Although Tesla had announced its goal to start mass production of the electric-powered Cybertruck by the end of 2023, the company had to push back its production timing due to shortages in sourcing components for the cutting-edge vehicle.

Co-Founder and CEO Elon Musk posted a congratulatory tweet with a picture of the EV pickup truck amidst a sea of Tesla workers at the company's Austin-based manufacturing plant.

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Musk told Tesla shareholders in May that he envisions producing about a quarter million of the sleek-looking Cybertrucks per year, depending on demand.

Twitter fans of the Cybertruck cheered on the factory rollout, others thought the avant-garde vehicle was simply "ugly."

"For those thinking the aesthetic is too abrasive for massive adoption, I think there's a decent chance there's a lot of people looking for something that is neither car/truck/SUV, but instead a modern, urban, mobile, multi-surface, multi-purpose, multi-modal... So yea, I'm interested af," tweeted one user.

Tesla Cybertruck side view
Cybertruck, Image by Tesla

The utility-forward Cybertruck – said to have more performance than a sports car – was first revealed to the auto world in 2019.

The electric pickup truck’s innovative design boasts a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton made of stainless steel and unbreakable "armored glass" windows.

The Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless steel skin is supposed to help eliminate dents, damage, and long-term corrosion, as well as offer passengers maximum protection, according to Tesla.

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The Cybertruck is advertised to have a EV battery range of roughly 500 miles.

Tesla Cybertruck Interior
Cybertruck Interior, Image by Tesla
Tesla Cybertruck Camping
Cybertruck Utility Features, Image by Tesla

The vehicle’s production launch is expected to make way for Tesla to break into one of the most profitable segments of the US automotive market.

EV truck competition heats up

The Cybertrucks current EV competitors include the GMC Hummer EV, Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV, and Rivian R1T.

All three models are still limited in the number of vehicles produced for 2023 and still sport a typical pickup body design.

In response to the competition expected from the release of Tesla’s Cybertruck this year, Ford slashed the prices of the F-150 Lightning trucks, which included a 17% cut for its base model.

Ford is also in the process of upgrading its Michigan Electric Vehicle Center with the goal of producing 150,000 Lightning trucks per year starting in the fall.

Last week, Auto Trader released a study finding that Tesla was the most searched car brand in the world, topping the 'most wanted' list in 39 countries, including the US, Canada, France, Spain, and Australia.

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