In an unexpected move, Tesla has officially announced the completion of its inaugural Cybertruck electric pickup truck at the renowned Gigafactory Texas. The groundbreaking moment was shared with the world through a Twitter post by the automaker, stating, “First Cybertruck built at Giga Texas!” Accompanying the tweet was a captivating photo capturing the enthusiasm of factory workers, proudly posing alongside the first production Cybertruck. Elon Musk, Tesla’s notable CEO, amplified the announcement by retweeting it on his own profile and extending congratulations to the Tesla team.
Although the photo provided only a limited glimpse of the vehicle due to the crowd surrounding it, key features such as the glass roof, windshield with an imposing wiper on the left side, truck bed, and side windows were discernible. At first glance, the truck closely resembled the latest prototypes observed on numerous occasions in recent weeks.
First Cybertruck built at Giga Texas! 🤠 pic.twitter.com/ODRhHVsd0t
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 15, 2023
This milestone marks a significant achievement for both Tesla and the diligent Gigafactory Texas team. It signifies the commencement of production for the brand’s fifth passenger car, a mere three and a half years after the company introduced its fourth vehicle, the Model Y, in January 2020.
Congrats Tesla Team! https://t.co/FPUgBqBpdY
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 15, 2023
The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated, primarily due to the Cybertruck’s classification as a pickup truck, the most popular vehicle type in the United States. The truck’s success appears highly promising, contingent upon Tesla’s ability to produce a substantial number of units within a short timeframe.
Back in May, Elon Musk estimated potential annual sales of the Cybertruck to range between 250,000 and 500,000 units once production reaches its peak. In his words, “We’ll make as many as people want and can afford.” Nevertheless, Musk acknowledged the challenge of making the cost affordable, as the Cybertruck represents a completely new car concept employing a novel manufacturing method—an exoskeleton constructed from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless steel.
Adding to its appeal and notoriety, the Cybertruck’s polarizing design sets it apart from any other Tesla vehicle and indeed any other automobile on the road today. Whether embraced or scrutinized, the Cybertruck’s distinctive appearance ensures it will command attention and likely become the most photographed vehicle once deliveries commence, generating substantial buzz for Tesla.
Regarding deliveries, Elon Musk indicated in April that the handover event for the Cybertruck is expected to take place in late Q3, which likely translates to September 2023. Assuming the first produced Cybertruck adheres to the specifications of the final production model, it will probably be included in the vehicles distributed to customers during the eagerly anticipated event.
However, based on previous Model Y handover events held at Giga Berlin and Giga Texas last year, it would be imprudent to expect a significant number of Cybertrucks to be delivered, with the recipients likely comprising predominantly Tesla insiders. Since production is just commencing, Elon Musk cautioned that the Cybertruck ramp-up phase would be the most challenging and protracted in the company’s history.
Earlier statements by the Tesla executive indicate that initial production of the Cybertruck will begin in the summer of 2023, followed by volume production in 2024, during which output is anticipated to remain limited. Musk acknowledged the arduous nature of both the design and manufacturing process, tweeting in May, “This was a tough product to design and even tougher to build.”
The commencement of Cybertruck production assumes considerable significance when considering the record number of reservations received by Tesla. As of November 2022, preorders for the Cybertruck had surpassed an impressive 1.6 million, as reported by a crowdsourced reservation tracker. Although this figure does not guarantee 1.6 million sales, it undeniably underscores the substantial demand for the Cybertruck, which appears to be in abundance.
