The delay is aimed at making the bakkie a more compelling product as competition heats up in the segment
17 January 2022 - 08:51
by Hyunjoo Jin
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Tesla's Cybertruck is displayed in New York City.
Picture: REUTERS
San Francisco — Tesla aims to start initial production of its much-anticipated Cybertruck by the end of the first quarter of 2023, pushing back its plan to begin production late this year, a person familiar with the matter said.
The person said the delay comes as Tesla is changing features and functions of the electric bakkie to make a compelling product as competition heats up in the segment.
Tesla is expected to make limited production of the Cybertruck in the first quarter of 2023 before increasing output, the source said.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tesla, the world's top electric carmaker, makes electric sedans and sport utility vehicles but has missed out on the bakkie segment, which is profitable and hugely popular in the US.
Ford and Rivian Automotive are ahead of Tesla in launching electric bakkies.
Ford said early this month it will nearly double annual production capacity for its red-hot F-150 Lightning electric bakkie to 150,000 vehicles ahead of its arrival this spring at US dealers.
Ford's market value breached $100bn for the first time last Thursday when Tesla shares fell 6.7% and Rivian slumped 7.1%.
CEO Elon Musk, who unveiled the futuristic vehicle in 2019, had already delayed its production from late 2021 to late 2022.
Musk has said he will provide an updated product road map on Tesla's January 26 earnings call.
“Oh man, this year has been such a supply chain nightmare & it's not over!," he tweeted in late-November, when asked about the Cybertruck.
Tesla recently removed a reference to its production schedule from its Cybertruck order website. Last month, the website said, “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022.” Now “in 2022” has been omitted.
Tesla plans to produce the Cybertruck at its factory in Texas, which is expected to start production of Model Y cars early this year.
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NEWS
Tesla postpones Cybertruck production to 2023
The delay is aimed at making the bakkie a more compelling product as competition heats up in the segment
San Francisco — Tesla aims to start initial production of its much-anticipated Cybertruck by the end of the first quarter of 2023, pushing back its plan to begin production late this year, a person familiar with the matter said.
The person said the delay comes as Tesla is changing features and functions of the electric bakkie to make a compelling product as competition heats up in the segment.
Tesla is expected to make limited production of the Cybertruck in the first quarter of 2023 before increasing output, the source said.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tesla, the world's top electric carmaker, makes electric sedans and sport utility vehicles but has missed out on the bakkie segment, which is profitable and hugely popular in the US.
Ford and Rivian Automotive are ahead of Tesla in launching electric bakkies.
Ford said early this month it will nearly double annual production capacity for its red-hot F-150 Lightning electric bakkie to 150,000 vehicles ahead of its arrival this spring at US dealers.
Ford's market value breached $100bn for the first time last Thursday when Tesla shares fell 6.7% and Rivian slumped 7.1%.
CEO Elon Musk, who unveiled the futuristic vehicle in 2019, had already delayed its production from late 2021 to late 2022.
Musk has said he will provide an updated product road map on Tesla's January 26 earnings call.
“Oh man, this year has been such a supply chain nightmare & it's not over!," he tweeted in late-November, when asked about the Cybertruck.
Tesla recently removed a reference to its production schedule from its Cybertruck order website. Last month, the website said, “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022.” Now “in 2022” has been omitted.
Tesla plans to produce the Cybertruck at its factory in Texas, which is expected to start production of Model Y cars early this year.
Reuters
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