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Bulletproof, more expensive than expected, supposedly faster than a Porsche 911 – and for many ugly as night: Elon Musk has personally handed over their new "Cybertrucks" to the first owners.
At the delivery event in Austin, Texas, the Tesla boss remained true to a presentation method that had failed four years ago - and caused laughter.
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO:
"You may remember an incident four years ago that didn't quite go according to plan at the time. Franz, perhaps we should try again?"
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO:
"So you don't have to worry about stones destroying the glass. It's rock solid in the truest sense of the word."
This was different at the prototype presentation in 2019.
As a result, many car experts had ridiculed the pickup. Tesla nevertheless stuck to the concept, but had to develop expensive production processes for the body made of cold-rolled, hardened stainless steel. The cheapest variant is now said to cost 61,000 US dollars, the equivalent of about 56,000 euros. The most expensive version, nicknamed "Cyberbeast," will cost $100,000 – significantly more than previously announced. Not so bad, Musk thinks.
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO:
"I think this is our best product. It's the most extraordinary thing on the road. And finally, the future will look like the future."
In this future, according to Tesla's engineers, it is apparently also important that cars can withstand fire from assault rifles.
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO:
"You never know, the end could come at any moment. And here at Tesla, we have the best technology for the apocalypse."
Now, however, it remains to be seen whether pickup buyers in the USA prefer the "Cybertruck" to more conventional models. All major American car manufacturers now have their own electric pickups on offer. So far, however, they have only sold in small quantities. In Germany, Elon Musk's end-time truck is unlikely to be a success. According to experts, it is not homologated with its unyielding tank body.