Tesla Cybertruck customers hoping to hit the freeway in their futuristic pickup later this year may now have to wait until at least 2023.
The latest of several delays was caused by engineers fine-tuning the Cybertruck’s design, with first production now slated for the first quarter of next year. a source told Reuters on Thursday.
Backing up the claim is Tesla’s recent change of text on the Cybertruck’s product page, which removed the year from the message “You can complete your configuration as production approaches 2022” to now read “You can complete your configuration as soon as.” production is approaching.”
Tesla had been expected to start mass production of the all-electric Cybertruck by the end of 2021, but in August the date was pushed back to early 2022.
Tesla has yet to disclose the reason – or reasons – for the delays, although the Reuters source points to design changes to the vehicle. It’s also possible that global chip shortages have hampered production — which Tesla CEO Elon Musk alluded to in a tweet in November – while problems at the Texas plant tasked with building the Cybertruck could also be a factor.
All eyes are now on Tesla’s Jan. 26 earnings call, where CEO Elon Musk is expected to present an updated product roadmap for the automaker.
More than a million customers are waiting
Tesla is estimated to have received more than a million pre-orders for the Cybertruck. For now, customers are asked to pay a $100 refundable deposit for their place in line, with Tesla’s online store still accepting orders.
Musk said last summer that the pickup “looks like it was built by aliens from the future” and that its offbeat design means “there’s some chance Cybertruck will flop.”
But rather than the design, it could be the dwindling patience of some customers, particularly from rival automakers poised to launch their own, albeit conventional, electric pickups that could tempt some to switch.
Tesla describes the Cybertruck as “better utility than a truck with more power than a sports car.” The electric pickup is available in three versions, priced between $39,900 and $69,900 depending on features such as number of electric motors, towing capacity and range.
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