Ford Boss Mocks Tesla Cybertruck as a "Pickup for Silicon Valley People"
Unveiled as a concept in November 2019, the polarizing Tesla Cybertruck has made plenty of noise in nearly four years. The production model should be unveiled sometime soon, with the first deliveries to follow later in 2023, CEO Elon Musk said back in the spring.
However, only a limited number of units will roll off the new Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, this year. Volume production of the Cybertruck won’t start until 2024.
- Also: Tesla Cybertruck Mass Production to Start in 2024 After All
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Musk sure loves to brag about Tesla’s revolutionary electric pickup, while critics mock the design and question its real impact on the market. One of them is Jim Farley.
Yes, the outspoken Ford CEO has praised Tesla in the past. He’s the one who recently decided that future Ford EVs would integrate Tesla’s NACS connector in order to have access to its Superchargers. But in an interview for CNBC on Tuesday, Farley seemed to laugh at the idea that the Cybertruck could ever pose a threat to the F-150 Lightning.
"The reality is, America loves an underdog—and we are the market leader for EV trucks and vans, and we know those customers better than anyone," he said. '"And if [Musk] wants to design a Cybertruck for Silicon Valley people, fine."
Describing the Cybertruck as “a cool high-end product parked in front of a hotel," Farley added this:
"I don't make trucks like that. I make trucks for real people who do real work, and that's a different kind of truck."
Over 1.5 million people have reportedly made a deposit to secure a copy of the Cybertruck, according to Electrek. It’s still possible to do so via Tesla Canada’s website (with a $150 deposit). Needless to say U.S. customers will be prioritized at first, meaning those north of the border will likely have to wait until next year, maybe longer.
Specs and pricing remain to be confirmed. In December 2021, Musk said that a new top-line configuration with four motors has been added to the lineup and will actually be the first to come out of the Gigafactory in Texas. It will replace the tri-motor variant that was initially announced with a price tag of $69,900 USD and a range of about 800 kilometres. We’re guessing the price will be much higher now, but it remains to be seen how much the extra motor will affect range.
Keep following The Car Guide for more coverage of the Tesla Cybertruck.
