Tag: Cybertruck

  • Tesla Offers 0% APR on Model Y and Cybertruck with Luxury Tax in Canada

    Tesla Offers 0% APR on Model Y and Cybertruck with Luxury Tax in Canada

    Tesla is almost finished with the initial Cybertruck reservations in the US, leaving only a week or two of orders to be filled, and is now moving swiftly to accommodate new requests.

    Cybertruck Launch in Canada

    This might be one reason Tesla has decided to expand the Cybertruck’s availability beyond the US, launching it in Canada starting this week. However, British Columbia’s government has announced that the Cybertruck will be subject to a luxury tax of up to 20%, significantly raising its already high cost.

    Pricing Details

    In Canada, the starting price for the Cybertruck is around CA$137,990 for the dual-motor AWD version. Once all taxes, including the federal luxury item levy, are added, the base price can quickly exceed the equivalent of US$120,000. This price point was previously for the tri-motor Cyberbeast Foundation Series trim in the US.

    Tesla challenged the federal luxury tax, but the BC government decided that the Cybertruck’s hefty price tag and weight make it eligible for the tax aimed at expensive vehicles.

    Financing Options for Canadian Customers

    To ease the disappointment for its Canadian customers, Tesla has rolled out the same zero-interest financing deal for the Model Y that was offered in the US last month. Buyers of the FSD feature along with the Model Y or Model 3 in Canada can benefit from a 0% APR financing option for terms of up to 48 months.

    Starting this month, Tesla has also lifted the FSD purchase requirement for obtaining the 0% APR financing for the Model Y in the US, and it may extend this offer to Canadian customers in the future as well.

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  • Scout Terra Electric Pickup vs. Tesla Cybertruck: 500-Mile Range

    Scout Terra Electric Pickup vs. Tesla Cybertruck: 500-Mile Range

    While Tesla might struggle to achieve the promised 500-mile range for the Cybertruck electric pickup, even with the $16,000 range extender addon, traditional car manufacturers don’t face the same limitations in reaching that target.

    VW’s New Approach

    VW has brought back its Scout brand in the US, reimagining it as an electric vehicle company, but with a unique approach. The first models, the Terra electric pickup and the Traveler SUV, are designed to cover 500 miles of range “with a bit of gas” since they will have extended range versions equipped with a large battery and an onboard generator.

    This method could be more cost-effective than simply installing a massive battery in the new Terra, which will have a starting price of only $51,500 after the federal tax credit and other incentives. In comparison, the Cybertruck starts at $79,990, and while the upcoming RWD trim, expected in 2025, may be cheaper, it will only provide 250 miles of range.

    Specifications and Features

    The mentioned $51,500 price is likely for the fully electric Terra pickup, offering a range of 350 miles per charge, which will still surpass the RWD Cybertruck. All Terra variants will feature a body-on-frame design, a solid rear axle, front and rear mechanical locking differentials, all-wheel drive, and a 240V power outlet in the 5.5-foot truck bed.

    It’s worth noting that a lot can change between 2025 and 2027 when the Scout Terra electric pickup is set to launch. If VW can manage to price a truck that can reach 500 miles effectively, it could become popular, particularly due to the gas generator that pure EV options cannot provide.

    The Traveler SUV

    The Traveler SUV, also known as the Harvester, will come in an electric-only version with a range of 350 miles, priced slightly lower than the Terra pickup at approximately $50,000 after incentives.

    This six-seater will boast a rugged body-on-frame chassis, making it suitable for off-roading. Plus, when the battery runs out, drivers can always rely on a fuel canister. This is arguably a more practical solution for off-road enthusiasts who often find themselves in remote areas with limited charging options.

    Scout has now opened its early reservation list for the 500-mile Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck, allowing those interested to secure their spot in line with a refundable deposit of $100.

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  • Tesla Unveils New Robotaxi Design in Daylight for First Time

    Tesla Unveils New Robotaxi Design in Daylight for First Time

    Tesla is hosting a Frunk or Treat event for Halloween weekend at its Gigafactory in Texas, and there are some exciting exclusives to check out, including one of the first crash-tested Cybertrucks.

    Driverless Innovation

    Another notable feature is the driverless Robotaxi, which Tesla demonstrated as it navigated without a steering wheel or pedals around the Warner Bros. studio during a special event.

    The event kicked off in the evening, and by the time the keynote presentation wrapped up, the sun had already set, meaning all the demonstrations with the approximately 20 Robotaxi units took place in the dark.

    Futuristic Appearance

    This nighttime setting gave the Robotaxi a silvery, futuristic look similar to the Cybertruck, even though it’s not crafted from stainless steel for budget and weight considerations, but instead is made of aluminum alloy panels that are painted to achieve that appearance.

    Interestingly, when the Robotaxi was displayed in bright daylight during the lovely sunny weather at Giga Texas, its shimmering finish appeared more golden than the silver-like look associated with the Cybertruck’s stainless steel.

    Typically, daylight can make things appear less appealing than under the stars, yet the Robotaxi maintained its futuristic vibe just as it did during the launch event.

    Design Features

    While its lines might not appear as sharp, they are instead more sculpted, and the rear light bar, which the refreshed Model Y Juniper is also expected to feature, glows brightly even when the sun is shining.

    The Robotaxi showcases a design that feels quintessentially Tesla, crafted by Franz von Holzhausen, particularly at the front, with Cybertruck-style light bars added for an extra touch.

    The 21-inch wheels are fitted with Continental tires that are partially painted in the cap’s color, creating an illusion of larger size and effectively emphasizing the futuristic aesthetic while keeping production costs in check.

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  • Tesla to Launch Affordable EV Battery with 4680 Cell Technology

    Tesla to Launch Affordable EV Battery with 4680 Cell Technology

    Tesla is set to outfit all of its top-selling cars in the US with unique 4680 battery cells produced in its own facilities. The company is now optimistic about its ability to create the most affordable EV batteries in the country.

    Future Battery Variants

    There are plans for four distinct types of 4680 battery packs, similar to the ones being manufactured for the Cybertruck, which are expected to be ready for production by 2025. The additional versions will be specifically designed for a 40 kWh battery that will support the 200-mile range of the soon-to-be-released Robotaxi, along with the popular Model 3 and Model Y, which Tesla sells in high volumes.

    Production Challenges

    Earlier this year, the mass production of 4680 batteries at Tesla was not going as smoothly as anticipated. In fact, Elon Musk had to let go of the head of Tesla’s battery division and the individual in charge of expanding 4680 production at Giga Texas because their approach was too slow. During the annual shareholder meeting, Musk even remarked that should Tesla fail to reduce the production costs of the 4680 battery to match those of its suppliers by the year’s end, it would consider obtaining them from Panasonic or LG instead.

    New Leadership and Breakthroughs

    Tesla has since appointed Bonne Eggleston as the new leader of the 4680 battery development team, who set ambitious production targets right from the start. Just a few months later, Tesla made a significant breakthrough with the 4680 battery and showcased its first Cybertruck equipped with factory cells created using the least expensive dry cathode technique.

    Now, Tesla is prepared to mass-produce dry cathode batteries by 2025 and may achieve its previously stated goal of a 50% reduction in costs, which was highlighted on Battery Day in 2020. Elon Musk mentioned during the Q3 earnings call that the Tesla-manufactured 4680 cells will likely become part of the lowest-priced battery packs ever made in the US, especially when factoring in import duties on supplier cells and the federal incentive of $45 per kWh for domestically produced batteries.

    This could enable Tesla to potentially bring vehicle prices below the $30,000 threshold, Musk noted, although he clarified that Tesla will continue to order a significant amount from its suppliers as its vehicle and energy storage divisions expand.

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  • Cybertruck and Honda Prologue Gain Popularity as EV Lease Prices Fall

    Cybertruck and Honda Prologue Gain Popularity as EV Lease Prices Fall

    Thanks to the 16,692 sales of the Cybertruck in the third quarter, Tesla now holds the top three spots in the list of the most loved electric vehicles in America.

    Competition in the EV Market

    In fourth place is the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with 13,392 units sold. Meanwhile, a surprising newcomer has entered the top five: the Honda Prologue, which has successfully sold 12,644 electric SUVs. This shift in the rankings highlights the growing diversity and competition in the EV market.

    Affordable Leasing Options

    A contributing factor to the Prologue’s success might be its attractive lease options starting at $289 per month. Currently, leasing has become the favored method for purchasing an electric vehicle in the U.S., making up 80% of the market, a notable rise from just 16% at the start of this year. Moreover, as new EV prices have dropped, the average monthly lease payment has plummeted from $950 to $582, making EVs more accessible to a wider audience.

    Changes in Used EV Pricing

    The inventory of second-hand EVs is also on the rise at dealerships, prompting sellers to reduce prices by 25%. As a result, the average price of a used EV has now dipped below that of a traditional gas-powered car.

    Despite these trends, the pricy $100,000 Cybertruck has secured its position as the third best-selling EV in the United States during the last quarter. With Tesla already launching a more affordable version that is not part of the Foundation Series, it is expected to maintain its ranking in Q4.

    Tesla’s Popular Models

    The Model Y and Model 3, which are the top-selling and second-best-selling electric cars in America, are likely to stay at the forefront as Tesla has rolled out attractive 0% APR financing and zero down payment offers for these models.

    Sources: WSJ, KBB (PDF)

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  • Cybertruck: Tesla’s Robotaxi with the Biggest Screen Yet

    Cybertruck: Tesla’s Robotaxi with the Biggest Screen Yet

    Elon Musk has delayed the "We, Robot" event for Tesla where they planned to showcase the Robotaxi, so they could make some alterations to its front appearance.

    A Cybertruck Influence

    If the goal was to give it a look similar to a Cybertruck, complete with light bar headlights, they definitely succeeded. But it’s not just the front that resembles the Cybertruck; the entire Robotaxi has hints of Cybertruck design, as its shiny silver color makes it look like it’s crafted from stainless steel.

    Looks Can Be Deceiving

    However, the Cybertruck-inspired aesthetic is mostly superficial. The futuristic design of the Robotaxi is actually made with basic aluminum panels, which are painted to shine like the Cybertruck’s stainless steel. The self-driving Robovan also has a similar vibe, reminiscent of an Airstream trailer, yet it isn’t made of stainless steel either.

    Tesla’s head designer, Franz von Holzhausen, stated during the unveiling that producing it in stainless steel would have been overly expensive and would contradict the aim of creating Tesla’s first vehicle priced under $30,000.

    Cost-Saving Features

    Apart from saving costs by not including rear seats, pedals, or a steering wheel, Tesla has also cut expenses by optimizing the battery. The Robotaxi will offer a range of approximately 200 miles powered by a roughly 40 kWh battery, which is the smallest offered by Tesla.

    The wheels of the Robotaxi are designed to appear unusually large and modern by painting half of the tires in the same color as the wheel caps, creating an illusion that the 21-inch Continentals look much sleeker than they actually are.

    Impressive Technology

    Where Tesla invested more in the Robotaxi is in its central console screen. With a diagonal size of 21 inches, it’s the biggest screen Tesla has ever included in any vehicle.

    This large panel highlights the infotainment capabilities of the purpose-built autonomous Robotaxi, allowing passengers to watch movies or surf the web while the vehicle drives them to their location. For reference, the Cybertruck has the second-largest display in a Tesla, but its "infinity touchscreen" measures only 18.5 inches diagonally.

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  • Cybertruck Warranty Excludes Off-Roading and Sunlight Damage

    Cybertruck Warranty Excludes Off-Roading and Sunlight Damage

    There has been a lot of negative feedback regarding the Cybertruck, from canceled insurance plans to recalls, and many feel that buying this vehicle is a questionable choice. Nonetheless, Tesla has remained firm in claiming that the Cybertruck is just as capable, if not more, than its electric vehicle and traditional rivals. Curiously, this confidence appears to be only skin deep, as a screenshot posted on Reddit highlights a long list of warranty restrictions.

    Warranty Limitations Uncovered

    A Reddit user named turingagentzero recently shared a post with the title "CyberTruck warranty is voided by off-roading (or hitting potholes)." After checking Tesla’s site, it’s evident that the screenshot is indeed from the official warranty document for the Cybertruck. Ironically, the phrase "driving off-road" even gets its own bullet point, even though the Cybertruck is mostly shown driving off-road in the promotional video on Tesla’s website. It’s understandable that driving off-road can lead to uncertainty and might justify a warranty denial. However, Tesla seems to take it further by broadening the definition of off-road in the next bullet point, which disapproves of "Driving over uneven, rough, damaged or hazardous surfaces, including but not limited to, curbs, potholes, unfinished roads, debris, or other obstacles…". Users in the discussion noted some other peculiar points in the document, such as sunlight, environmental factors, insect droppings, and more.

    The Question of Capability

    To clarify, it’s not unusual for auto manufacturers to impose such restrictions in their warranties. The issue here seems to add to the Cybertruck’s mysterious traits and how it is viewed. Is the Cybertruck a rugged vehicle ready to face the apocalypse, or is it a fragile EV that should only be driven on smooth, newly paved roads during partly cloudy weather? Ultimately, it is for the driver to determine.

    turingagentzero on Reddit and Tesla

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  • Cheapest Cybertruck Features: Tesla Cuts Foundation Series Items

    Cheapest Cybertruck Features: Tesla Cuts Foundation Series Items

    Tesla has begun to inform early reservation holders of the Cybertruck that they can now set up their vehicles with non-Foundation Series trims, which are $20,000 less expensive.

    The entry-level dual-motor Cybertruck AWD is now priced at $79,990, while the tri-motor Cyberbeast is priced just below $100,000. Additionally, the least expensive Cybertruck is eligible for the government’s $7,500 tax credit for commercial vehicles, and it is likely to qualify for the regular private buyer tax credit at the point of sale too.

    Features of the Basic Trim

    Choosing the $79,990 AWD Cybertruck means that buyers will miss out on many features included in the Foundation Series package, which has a long list of extras and options that enhance the vehicle’s appeal.

    For those who own the Foundation Series, all combinations of wheels and interior options are included in the pricing, along with the Cybertruck’s Full Self-Driving option. This feature, which is priced at $7,000 on its own, is still available at the promotional price for any Cybertruck owner, even for those opting for the less expensive AWD non-Foundation Series version.

    What’s Missing from the Non-Foundation Series

    A closer inspection of the first delivered Cybertruck reveals that Tesla has indeed cut out many aspects of the $20,000 Foundation Series package. They have removed the premium badging, along with other features like truck bed rings, which are now being sold separately as a $40 accessory. The vehicle also lacks the "all-weather" rubber floor mats and the silver tray found in the lower central console, and the steering wheel design has been altered.

    Nonetheless, the owner of the most affordable Cybertruck shared the list of standard features for their base AWD model, which does include basic Autopilot. This means that even the sub-$80,000 Cybertruck has Tesla’s cruise control that adjusts its speed based on surrounding traffic, plus Autosteer to maintain lane position. For some drivers, this level of automation is sufficient. The Cybertruck’s FSD option remains available for an additional price, and initial reviews have been quite positive.

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  • Tesla Launches Affordable Cybertruck Eligible for $7,500 Tax Credit

    Tesla Launches Affordable Cybertruck Eligible for $7,500 Tax Credit

    The Cybertruck’s pricing has now aligned with the Model X in the US, as Tesla begins to send out order invitations for its non-Foundation Series models, just like they said would happen in Q4.

    New Pricing for Cybertruck

    For reservation holders who didn’t choose the high-end Foundation Series trim, the starting price for the AWD Cybertruck is $79,990. This is a significant change for those looking to get their hands on Tesla’s latest electric pickup.

    Additionally, it appears that the Cybertruck qualifies for a $7,500 commercial vehicle tax credit from the government, unlike other Tesla models which are available for point-of-sale dealer deductions.

    Production Increase at Giga Texas

    Tesla has been increasing production of the Cybertruck at Giga Texas, with drone footage showing large parking areas filled with these custom electric trucks. It seems the Cybertruck is now set to make a real impact on Tesla’s shipment figures for Q4, following the Foundation Series units produced last quarter that slightly exceeded analyst expectations.

    What Tesla is offering now to early reservation holders is pretty much the same dual-motor AWD or tri-motor Cyberbeast they’ve been selling up until now, but without the exclusive $20,000 Foundation Series package. This means the Cybertruck AWD can be had for just $79,990 instead of the previous price of around $100,000, while the Cyberbeast is priced just under $100,000.

    Will Fans Convert Reservations?

    It is still unclear if fans of the Cybertruck will actually go ahead and make a purchase, especially since the Foundation Series package includes a wide range of upgrades and accessories, as well as the Cybertruck’s Full Self-Driving option, which is valued at $7,000 for reservation holders.

    At the new price of $79,990, the Cybertruck should also be eligible for the federal point-of-sale tax savings similar to the Model X, not just the commercial tax credit the IRS currently has it listed under. Tesla just revealed these more affordable trims, so it might not be long before the tax credit list is updated for individual buyers, which could lower the price to $72,490 and boost sales.

    Tesla also plans to roll out an even cheaper RWD version next year, likely when they start manufacturing all Cybertrucks using the cost-effective 4680 batteries produced via the dry cathode method, which they expect to achieve by July.

    Sawyer Merritt (X)

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  • Cybertruck FSD Review: Quick Lane Switching & Full-Screen Visuals

    Cybertruck FSD Review: Quick Lane Switching & Full-Screen Visuals

    Tesla has announced the launch of the newest Full Self-Driving (Supervised) version 12.5.5, which finally includes the Cybertruck’s FSD option. This comes ten months after the pickup was made available, with the feature included in the Foundation Series trim price.

    Initial Rollout and Feedback

    The rollout of FSD 12.5.5 begins with Tesla employees and Early Access Testers. A key highlight is that Tesla has fulfilled its promise to introduce FSD for the Cybertruck in September. Early reviews of the Cybertruck’s FSD functionality have been mainly positive, with testers noting the impressive polish of this driver-assist system in Tesla’s largest passenger vehicle.

    Performance Insights

    Testers observed that the FSD effectively recognized the size of the Cybertruck and executed notable maneuvers and lane changes. The system demonstrated quick decision-making and responsive reactions. The visualization on the Cybertruck was smoother than that on the Model 3, accurately depicting the movements of other vehicles. While AutoMax performed well in city settings, it was slightly slower on highways. However, testers are optimistic that speed profiles will enhance performance in future updates. The End to End functionality was adequate during highway use, although it took the off-ramp a bit too rapidly. There is curiosity about how it would manage heavy traffic on the 405 during rush hour and on longer interstate routes.

    Maneuvering and Visual Experience

    While the system was somewhat cautious when merging into traffic and took a left turn from an unmarked median lane, it mirrored the cautious behavior of many human drivers. Nonetheless, Tesla has impressively managed to fine-tune the Cybertruck’s handling and quick lane changes, even in this early access version.

    The FSD visualizations on the Cybertruck’s impressive 17-inch display are exceptional, boasting smooth frame rates and full-screen graphics that match the vehicle’s angular design, even representing traffic lights in a sharper style.

    Looking Ahead

    Releasing FSD for the Cybertruck has been on Tesla’s agenda for September, alongside the introduction of Actually Smart Summon and FSD 12.5 for HW3 vehicles. Tesla has successfully delivered all items on its roadmap for the month. Looking forward to October, excitement builds as Tesla plans to unveil the FSD 13 generational leap, which is expected to integrate autonomous Robotaxi services with FSD-equipped Teslas into a unified CyberCab ride-share platform.

    Zack (X), WholeMarsCatalog (YT)

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