Tesla (TSLA) Removes Cybertruck Production Date as Speculation Heats Up

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) originally promised in 2019 that the Cybertruck would be available to customers in late 2021. Later that year, Tesla announced that full production was delayed till some time in 2022. Now, that deadline seems to have been waived as well.

The order page on Tesla’s Cybertruck site previously told buyers: “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022.” Now, it just says: “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears,” Archives show the reference to the year was removed in late December 2021.

Lots of factors could contribute to a delay. These include external challenges, like the ongoing pandemic and global chip shortage. The delay could be caused by Cybertruck-specific problems. In 2019 when the Cybertruck was first introduced, Musk put the truck through its paces to demonstrate its ruggedness. When he tried to show how shatterproof the “armored”, a metal ball shattered both the truck’s windows. “We’ll fix it in post,” Musk quipped.

As Tesla continues to delay Cybertruck production, competitors are moving in. Ford (NYSE: F) committed to doubling production of its F-150 Lightning, which it says will start shipping in the first half of 2022. Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) finally started shipping its first R1Ts to customers; while brands like Hummer and Chevy have their own electric trucks scheduled for late 2022 and late 2023 releases respectively.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised to share a “Product roadmap update” on the next Tesla earnings call. That’s scheduled for January 26th.

Today, Tesla bull Trip Chowdhry at Global Equities Research speculated that Tesla would two have versions of the Cybertruck, one 15-20% smaller, and hold a special virtual event in March on the highly-anticipated new vehicle.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]

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