Will Tesla Win with Improved Quality?
For more than ten years, I’ve kept an eye on the automotive world, yet there are few things that catch me off guard. Today, however, that trend was disrupted by my illusion of the Tesla Cybertruck. Photos and footage do not accurately portray the extent to which this car stands out; one cannot get the full scope of its uniqueness without viewing it firsthand.
Now, would I interpret that in a positive or negative sense? I’m still pondering that.
This week marks the initial distribution, and the disclosure of the ultimate specifications for the Cybertruck. No matter if you have requested 10 of them or believe that it is an awful piece of design, you cannot disregard the fact that it–or essentially any other novel Tesla–is a noteworthy electric vehicle introduction. The Cybertruck is obtaining consideration in a manner that is quite unlike almost any other EV that has come before it, and it will probably either generate serious success for Tesla at a vital time, or be an immovable stainless steel weight preventing their progress for a prolonged period of time. In any event, it is a buzz-generating machine, yet to even hit the road.
All the commotion about the Tesla CyberTruck hasn’t hit the streets yet, however it has reached into the automaker’s own establishments. Recently, InsideEVs had posted glimpses and opinions from different reporters and content creators who have come across some of the few models sent to a handful of Tesla showrooms and galleries.
When I discovered, by means of the Cybertruck Locate Utility, that there was one available in Manhattan at Tesla’s Gallery in the Meatpacking District, I knew I had to witness it with my own eyes for the very first time.
It is time to address the plain truth: Yes, the manufacture of this product appears to be significantly superior compared to the embarrassing example that Jalopnik Senior Editor Daniel Golson spotted in California a couple of weeks ago. That matte black Tesla Cybertruck embarced by Tesla’s design leader Franz von Holzhausen was probably an early variant since it had distressing quality flaws, vast and crooked panel spaces, plus visible fitting issues.
By comparison, the truck I spied in Manhattan was tight, looking as though it had been meticulously prepared for departure. It surpassed any first style Tesla I have ever seen – such as the 2018 Model 3s that remain on the highways up to this day having notable troubles. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that these automobiles were created to go into dealerships – planned especially to be displayed to the public. I can’t refuse that it’s likely these vehicles were designated as extraordinary quality and deliberately fine-tuned ahead of schedule. It is also very probable that their appearance in these businesses was a reply to the censure sparked by the unfavorable discourse only some weeks ago. Until Thursday, it seems that speculations will take our places since Tesla retired its public relations team some time ago.
When I stepped into the Tesla showroom, I provided my specifics to an attendant who questioned if I had come for a test drive – which I hadn’t – leaving me open to admire the truck as much as I wished. There were several others doing exactly the same thing, and another Tesla representative mentioned that when it showed up last week, the vehicle has elicited significant interest and enormous crowds.
Despite that, the truckers had no additional details about it or permission to drive it. Consequently, they are as clueless as the rest of us. Other than a placard proving the 2,500-pound payload and 11,000-pound tow capabilities we already knew, no fresh facts are present in any locations.
Nevertheless, we can still gain invaluable knowledge by observing them in person; this was undeniably the case for me. Let us embark on a virtual voyage!
The primary thing that astonished me was how gigantic the Cybertruck seemed. Even though it is less expansive than a Ford F-150, the severe angles gave it a huge appearance. Large even than the Ford! (Although Manhattan’s limited areas undoubtedly contributed to this thought, I remained thunderstruck at its size.) It completely outshone all the other Teslas located close by.
I’m still not completely assured that a rear trapezoid-like structure has the ability to function as an actual truck bed; however, we’ll just have wait and see. The model I observed at the store featured an opened tailgate along with its closed-off back section. It’s definitely enough to provoke wonder as to where all that bulk disappears. Is it possibly in the cabin? This vehicle’s front storage area as well as its bed really are not overly large.
Also bear in mind the small chamber on the wheel arch Created with plastic fender flares – this being a huge modification originating from the model prototype. For this vehicle, a loading port was built into the stainless-steel framework itself, which requires Tesla’s engineers to confront some immense difficulties in relation to such a recalcitrant material. (As detailed today in the Wall Street Journal.)
I must pay Tesla compliments for mending the perceptible placement difficulties with von Holzhausen’s vehicle. It was easily one of the most appalling issues we encountered on that truck, and even though the parts are not perfectly flush, it does appear improved now. I’m also fond of the exterior touchpad being available to operate the truck bed features; an agreeable enhancement.
The ostentatious Cybertruck is unlike any other vehicle on the streets, particularly because of its little details. Gaze upon the remarkable bumper and you’ll quickly understand what I mean- you won’t spot something like it outside of a vision car.
When it comes to panel gaps, I was pleasantly surprised to find that both were tighter than I had anticipated. However, they were still wider than the “sub-10-micron” accuracy that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has demanded, which is equivalent to 0.0004 inches. While this isn’t the tightest of panel gaps, my main concern is how this vehicle will perform in the event of a crash, or how expensive it will be to repair afterwards.
After inspecting the pics more closely, I spotted some defects with panel alignment on the truck, in addition to a few other difficulties. The rubber lining around the back glass was not quite flush, correct?
That visage is really extraordinary. Another remarkable matter that can be seen is indeed how extensive and expansive that windshield is. It occupies a considerable amount of area within the truck itself. And indeed, the windscreen wiper does appear to be one gigantic item. It is quite colossal.
I regretfully did not learn a great deal about the truck’s insides due to it being blocked off and not permitting anyone to enter. Though, the expected Tesla design implementation had been applied as a basis: uncluttered, containing a monitor and the Model S-style wheel situated in front of the steerer. The cabin setting of this vehicle has already been made known, thereby forcing me to be nondescript about it.
Finally, let’s discuss smudges. As some have speculated, the stainless steel body of the Cybertruck is likely to be a magnet for fingerprints. This is something that many people who have owned home appliances made of stainless steel are familiar with. Indeed, the door panels of the Cybertruck were covered in marks. Tesla could make a fortune selling cleaning products, or alternatively, owners of this vehicle may have to resort to displaying a giant “NO TOUCHING” sign when they park it.
At the conclusion, I am still not sure what to think of the Cybertruck. When the Model 3 was revealed, I was quite taken aback and thought to myself “They are going to make a fortune with that one!” (Which is what happened.)
When I saw the Cybertruck in person, I was left speechless and had an incredible sense of shock. It still amazes me that it is really out on the roads in this form! In all seriousness, there is nothing else like the Cybertruck; way more unusual even than the already rare DeLorean DMC-12. As much as I think the Model S is one of the most stylish cars ever built in the United States, the design of the Cybertruck is not something I’m a fan of.
It’s quite dubious to gage the success of Tesla’s truck. I imagine that regardless of how many Musk’s crew can manufacture, each one will be sold. Nevertheless, I am less certain of its viability as a mass-market, legitimate opponent of the F-150 that so many people who admire Tesla have envisioned. It looks more akin to a contemporary supercar or limelight automative—a fairly low-quantity, costly niche vehicle dedicated to serious adepts.
Even Elon Musk appears to be shifting the public’s attitude towards the new Tesla truck. He has referred to it as Tesla’s “best vehicle ever,” yet has cautioned potential purchasers and investors to “temper expectations” in regard to its production. It will be a hard journey for even the world’s leading manufacturer of electric vehicles to make this truck a profitable mass production. There is a chance that it could turn out to be like the Model X’s Falcon Doors, a concept that Musk was passionate about, only to later regret.
In conclusion, a number of inquiries will hinge on the cost of the Cybertruck. Of course, more info should be unveiled Thursday. So, should you become aware of any other pertinent details prior to that time, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
For any inquiries regarding the author, please contact Patrick George at patrick.george@insideevs.com. In case you need to converse with him for whatever purpose, his email is your best resource to reach out.
