Tesla pickup won’t be mass-produced until 2024

Despite that promise, you probably don’t want to count on getting a Cybertruck this year. During a conference call to discuss Tesla’s latest earnings, company CEO Elon Musk said mass production of the electric pickup truck won’t begin until 2024. He still expects production to start “sometime this summer,” but cautions that volumes will be “very slow” early on. Tesla is still installing assembly equipment.

Tesla released the Cybertruck in 2019, but has delayed its launch several times. The company also warns that final specifications and pricing will change. The EV’s single-motor configuration was supposed to start at $39,900, climbing to nearly $70,000 for the three-motor version. While the automaker is still taking deposits, it’s no longer promising specific configurations. Pandemics, economic downturns, longstanding supply chain issues and design tweaks can all affect what you can end up buying.

This is not a new problem for Tesla. Production of the Model 3 began in July 2017 but was very limited until mid-2018 as the company struggled to clear factory bottlenecks. However, Cybertruck presents unique challenges. Its signature cold-rolled steel body is said to be exceptionally strong, but also requires manufacturing techniques not normally used on cars. Much of the production is expected to take place at the Giga Texas facility near Austin, which officially opened last April.

The revised timetable could create problems. Cybertruck has entered a more competitive field that includes the Ford F-150 Lightning, the GMC Hummer EV and the Rivian R1T. By the time Tesla’s production is in full swing, it’s likely to be up against the Ram 1500 EV and the Chevrolet Silverado EV, as well as more affordable versions of its existing trucks. Electric pickups are no longer a novelty four years ago, and it’s unclear whether the completed Cybertruck will offer a major advantage over its rivals.