Tesla has updated its Cybertruck production timelines for different versions of the electric pickup truck after strong pre-orders for the highest performance versions.
When Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck last month, the automaker announced three different versions: Single Motor RWD, Dual Motor AWD, and Tri Motor AWD.
At the time, they said that the two less expensive versions, which are going to start at $39,900 and $49,900, are coming in “late 2021,” while the more expensive version with more motors and bigger battery pack is going to be available in “late 2022.”
Less than a week after launching the vehicle, Tesla received over 250,000 pre-orders for the Cybertruck.
When giving the first pre-order count, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that 42% of reservation holders chose the Dual Motor option, 41% chose the Tri Motor option, and only 17% chose the least expensive Single Motor option.
After receiving this new information, Tesla has updated its timeline to production for the different versions of the Cybertruck, according to its pre-order page.
Tesla wrote about each model on that page:
The automaker appears to have accelerated the timeline for the Cybertruck Tri Motor and delayed the Single Motor version to late 2022.
Releasing higher-end more expensive versions of its vehicles is a strategy that Tesla has been using on and off.
With Model 3, Tesla did release the more expensive “Long Range” version first, but it also took a while for the automaker to release the Model 3 Dual Motor and Performance versions.
It looks like Tesla is going with the other way around for the Cybertruck, which makes sense to me.
Cybertruck is made with a completely different platform/body that requires a new manufacturing method.
It will be easier for Tesla to produce the truck profitably if it starts at $50,000 than if it starts at $40,000.
However, the Dual Motor and Tri Motor versions will also require a lot more batteries, which creates a different problem for Tesla.
Ether way, it will be an interesting electric vehicle program to follow over the next few years.
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