You're Being Lied to About Electric Cars

[HitchHiker71]

It looks like the rwd cyber Truck has been discontinued for lack of sales. I'm surprised that anyone likes the aesthetics and functionality of the Cyber Truck. Looks wise, it has a video game type design. Functionality wise, it can't be loaded like a regular work truck, it would be unreliable to take off roading for an extended hunting or fishing trip and it can pull a max load for maybe 150 miles before needed a charge.

Bill

The CT design has always been polarizing IMHO - as it relates to sales volumes. It's currently selling less than 20k per year all in - vs the hoped for 250k per year volume. Others within the Tesla ecosystem attribute the lack of sales volume to high pricing (80k plus on average), and while that's certainly true, it's not the only issue. The RWD CT with considerably fewer amenities cut things that don't make sense to cut IMHO, like towing capacity, weight capacity, Powershare, the bed power plugs, etc., which directly go against "work truck" type requirements - which then begs the question as to what audience the lower trim RWD was meant to attract in the first place. I personally think the CT is a flop from a mass market standpoint and the numbers clearly support that assessment at least to date. I've driven it several times now and it's a great vehicle overall from a driving perspective, but the looks combined with the high price turn me away from it personally.

On a related note, Ford is also apparently considering dropping the F150L altogether as well, due to lackluster sales volumes and the high cost of manufacture (they lose 50%+ on every F150L sold at present). At least the Silverado/Sierra EVs have better ranges with better towing capabilities due to the massive battery packs they're using - but these models top out over $100k and even the midrange models are well over $70k - and aren't selling very well either - and GM likely is losing billions on their EVs similar to Ford - they just choose not to share their EV balance sheet numbers like Ford does transparently. I question if GM will continue to sell their EV pickups for the same reasons that Ford is considering dropping the F150L. I thought that RAM had a good compromise design with the RAM 1500 EV hybrid model (the RAMCharger), but am not certain that will ever come to be given the RAM 1500 EV was also recently dropped entirely.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Sci-fi and music videos, lol. Have you noticed many of these in Southern California ? There is maybe a couple in our area. They are too big for Seattle or Portland and not really a thing outside of those areas either.

Bill

I'm seeing a few CTs in my area on a regular basis now, though it's still uncommon especially relative to other Tesla models. The mainstream Tesla models are increasingly common in comparison. I cannot go anywhere without seeing quite a few Tesla vehicles at some point while out and about nowadays (ours included). I'm also seeing more Ford and GM EVs with increasing frequency as well.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Last wk, I saw that a movie called "Timecop" was streaming. There is a good movie with a similar name. I don't know which is which. I turned it on for 15 seconds. I immediately knew it wasn't the movie I hoped it was. In those 15 sec, the scene centered on guys (timecops, I guess) getting into a vehicle that looked like a Cybertruck,

"Functionality wise"? do you think that is a priority for people who buy a Cybertruck. It is "Hey. Look at me"

Since I no longer tow much anymore, and mostly just use my pickup for hauling stuff in the bed periodically, I'd actually consider a CT if the price was right at least. I haven't really seen the prices fall very much though. This is one time where I wouldn't mind seeing the accelerated depreciation take hold - on CT models two years out from today - then I'd consider a lightly used CT as a replacement for our 2018 RAM 1500 - provided the CT had a cool wrap on it already that helped with the looks - I don't really like the stainless steel alone - but I've seen some cool PPF wraps that at least partially offset the off-putting design.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Have you noticed many of these in Southern California ?

I live in SF Bay area. There is a Cybertruck in my neighborhood. at least one? They all look alike. Rivians all look alike. Cybertruck too, unless someone wraps it, which I've only seen once I think in years. Yes, I see multiple of them around. Same as I see Rivians. Same as I see not 1 EV per 1,000 ICEs, but about 1 EV per 10 ICEs.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

it's still uncommon especially relative to other Tesla models. The mainstream Tesla models are increasingly common in comparison. I cannot go anywhere without seeing quite a few Tesla

LOL. Teslas were called "California Camrys" a long long time ago. I see as many Teslas as I see any other single model of any car. I never told Bill that.

 

[HitchHiker71]

LOL. Teslas were called "California Camrys" a long long time ago. I see as many Teslas as I see any other single model of any car.

If you live in the SF area - particularly Palo Alto - yes that's basically Tesla central since they have a huge engineering presence - and are always testing new technologies and vehicles in that same area. That is where Robotaxi was born actually.