After experiencing delays, Tesla is targeting to start mass production of the Cybertruck by the end of 2023, two people with knowledge of the plans told Reuters. The Cybertruck electric pickup truck itself was introduced to the public for the first time in 2019.
Last month, Tesla said it was preparing Giga Teas to build a new model with “early production” set to begin in mid-2023. “We’re in the final lap for the Cybertruck,” Musk told a news conference.
With production at the end of 2023, Tesla can only get income from Cybertruck in the middle of 2024. Orders totaling hundreds of thousands of people have deposited 100 US dollars to enter the Cybertruck queue.
Tesla itself did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Tesla itself has not announced the price of their Cybertruck which will be available in several trim levels.
In 2019, the initial projected price of the Cybertruck is under $40,000. But inflation and supply chain issues mean Tesla has raised prices across the board.
Musk introduced the Cybertruck in 2019 in which the vehicle’s “protective glass” windows were unbreakable. The Cybertruck’s production plans have been pushed back several times due to design changes and component shortage issues.
In January, Musk cited a shortage in component sourcing as a reason to push the Cybertruck’s launch into 2023. In May, Tesla stopped taking orders for the Cybertruck outside North America.
Cybertruck will compete with electric pickup trucks that have already been present to consumers such as the Rivian R1T, GMC Hummer EV and Ford F-150 Lightning.
Analysts say the weakening global economy will start to weigh on sales of Tesla, which has so far filled their orders. Musk himself predicts the recession may last “probably until the spring of 2024.”
IDRA Group, the Italian company that makes the Giga Press that will be used for die casting parts for the Cybertruck, said in a LinkedIn post last week that the 9,000-ton machine for the production of truck parts was packaged and ready to ship.
The post did not mention Tesla’s name. But Tesla has used the Giga Press to cut the cost and complexity of producing its Model Y, an innovation that other automakers, including Toyota, have studied.
