Tesla Cybertruck in hot demand
Tesla has received nearly 150,000 orders for its new pickup truck, boss Elon Musk says, despite a hiccup at its launch.
The windows of the Cybertruck shattered during a demonstration supposed to show their durability. However, that did not put off potential buyers and the Tesla CEO claimed the carmaker had received 146,000 reservations for the electric vehicle (EV) within about 48 hours.
After the unveiling on November 22 (NZ time), Tesla started taking reservations for the truck with a US$100 (NZ$156) deposit. The vehicle has a starting price of just over NZ$62,000.
“146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri & 17% single motor,” Musk tweeted.
The Cybertruck boasts a distinct angular design and has received a mixed reception since its unveiling in Hawthorne, California. Tesla claims the vehicle, which is covered in stainless steel alloy, will be able to go from 0-100kph in about 2.9 seconds and it plans to start manufacturing the model in 2021.
However, some analysts are concerned about the futuristic look, with Jessica Caldwell of Edmunds' vehicle marketplace saying: “It looks like a truck version of the DeLorean from Back to the Future.”
The Cybertruck’s “fail” at the launch event happened while trying to show off how the vehicle’s exterior and armoured glass windows could withstand bullets and sledgehammers. Tesla's head of design, Franz von Holzhausen, threw a metal ball at the front left window, causing it to smash. He repeated the move on the rear left window and the same thing happened.
The early demand for the Cybertruck compares to Tesla securing 180,000 Model 3 reservations within the first 24 hours after that car's unveiling in 2016.
