Tesla’s first Cybertruck delivery finally scheduled for November 2023

Tesla has finally fixed the date of November 30, 2023, for the first customer deliveries of its long-awaited Cybertruck electric pickup truck, which was initially scheduled for a 2021 launch. CEO Elon Musk has, however, tempered expectations regarding mass production ramp-up and profitability.

Just under a year ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised analysts that Cybertruck series production would kick off by the end of 2023. A first pre-production model rolled off the assembly line at Gigafactory Texas in July, with several more prototypes seen testing out on the road since then.

‘Tesla has dug its own grave’

This ends the long wait for an unknown number of customers, who placed a pre-order ever since the radically designed pickup truck was first announced in 2019, with an initial launch date set for 2021. Delays in almost every aspect of Cybertruck’s production pushed that launch date forward several times, and it looks like Tesla is not out of the woods yet.

During Tesla’s Q3 earnings call, Musk admitted the company had “dug its own grave with Cybertruck”, with the unique stainless steel body proving more difficult to mass-produce than expected. The panels need an even finish; the straight lines mean panel gaps stand out much more.

The production of the high-density 4680 battery cells, which are necessary to provide Cybertruck’s promised 500-mile range, has also suffered from numerous delays.

125 000-unit capacity by 2025

All of these factors mean that the mass production of the Cybertruck at Tesla’s Gigafactory Tesla will ramp up in 2024, with an annual production capacity of 125 000 units coming by 2025.

With over a million units apparently on the pre-order list, Tesla will have its hands full, although many customers will likely not see their order through when the time comes, with just a $100 deposit needed to secure a spot on the list.

“I think it is our best product ever. It will require immense work to reach volume production and be cashflow positive at a price people can afford,” said Musk, stating that it would take about 18 months until Cybertruck starts turning a profit.

More detailed pricing and specs are expected to be announced at the November 30th delivery event, with the initial $39 900 starting price likely to be raised due to inflation and the difficulty of producing the thing.