Is the Cyber Truck a Flop?

[WinterDeere]

My dad completed the 5th grade during the Great depression and one of his favorite sayings was every time I said Never he would say son Never is a mighty long time.

All true. But I will stand by the use of "never", when referring to the current cosmetics of the CyberTruck. As long as it looks like a goofy oversized stainless steel lunch box rolling down the road, I will never buy one.

There was a certain subset of the population who bought the original Hummers, arguably one of the most impractical on-road vehicles ever built, but which screamed "look at me". It's the same mentality that drives a person that buys the CyberTruck, even if coming from the opposing side of the environmental consciousness aisle.

I love the tech, but the cosmetics of the thing disgust me.

 

[jyoutz]

All true. But I will stand by the use of "never", when referring to the current cosmetics of the CyberTruck. As long as it looks like a goofy oversized stainless steel lunch box rolling down the road, I will never buy one.

There was a certain subset of the population who bought the original Hummers, arguably one of the most impractical on-road vehicles ever built, but which screamed "look at me". It's the same mentality that drives a person that buys the CyberTruck, even if coming from the opposing side of the environmental consciousness aisle.

I love the tech, but the cosmetics of the thing disgust me.

Not to mention that they have a long list of quality control issues, including detaching body panels.

 

[WinterDeere]

Not to mention that they have a long list of quality control issues, including detaching body panels.

Sure, but it's a new vehicle model from a company that's constantly exploring new tech. So that's to be expected to some degree, and like the trailer hitch issue, I'm sure they'll get that figured out and fixed. Gale already aluded to the fact that the new model 3's and model Y's are vastly better than the first run of each, and we've honestly seen the same from Ford, with much less far-reach leaps in technology.

But will they fix "ugly"?

 

[NoTrespassing]

This is caught my attention.

I've commented on the Ram Charger before. I don't understand the concept of a gasoline engine on board to charge a battery other than being able to tout range. It seems overly complicated and inefficient to me.

 

[scootr]

I heard a new model cyber truck will come out this year with 1 motor aka 2 wheel drive and a reduction in other features to attain a reduced price.

 

[jmc]

Sure, but it's a new vehicle model from a company that's constantly exploring new tech. So that's to be expected to some degree, and like the trailer hitch issue, I'm sure they'll get that figured out and fixed. Gale already aluded to the fact that the new model 3's and model Y's are vastly better than the first run of each, and we've honestly seen the same from Ford, with much less far-reach leaps in technology.

But will they fix "ugly"?

Sounds like a "series hybrid". I think the original Volt had it. And locomotives. Could be wrong though.

For one thing, a SH eliminates the transmission required in the more common hybrids, where the engine has to directly drive the wheels.

 

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Strikes me that the T model S was designed by someone with taste, and the 3, X and Y are clearly derivatives of that design. It's a very pleasing series, and having the continuity of design really helps the brand - see Mercedes-Benz in the good old days, and BMW - models in different ranges all clearly belong to the brand.

The CT? Looks like some kid played Halo and took the first drawing he made of it and told the company to build it. Doesn't belong at all, unless they produce other vehicles with a similar motif (which would be absolutely hilarious).

 

[scootr]

If the CT was designed as I suspect to shock people it hit the mark

 

[mllud]

I can't see the CT as a practical truck. It cost too much to beat the bed. A guy that uses a truck for work avoids body damage, but the beds get used.
Rubber mats and bed liners help but trucks are for work.
The bed in my first new F250 was stretched and sunk in between the bed cross frame rails. The body wasn't beat up when I scrapped it, but rust had eaten it up. Used but not abused!
The C.T. Is not made for ANY heavy use as a truck. It's a grocery getter.
You can't take time to set every 90# chunk of oak into the bed with kid gloves. You get close and chuck it in.
It's a truck!

Besides being ugly they get looks and attention, but that will wear off.
DeLorean all over again.
I also would not buy anything Ely Musky makes.

 

[Oaktree]

Sounds like a "series hybrid". I think the original Volt had it. And locomotives. Could be wrong though.

For one thing, a SH eliminates the transmission required in the more common hybrids, where the engine has to directly drive the wheels.

Makes perfect sense to me. The simpler drivetrain of an EV, but with the convenience of being easy to refuel. Surprised they put in such a large engine to power the generator.

A little (actually way) too much tech-y stuff in it for my liking though. Not sure I'd like a combo gas/brake pedal.

 

[scootr]

It should be noted that Tesla sold more than 2 times as many Cyber Trucks as Ford sold F-150 Lightning trucks. Yet there is no "Is the Ford Lightning truck a failure?" thread ?
Or is that just a given? Common knowledge, not worthy of discussion?

 

[WinterDeere]

It should be noted that Tesla sold more than 2 times as many Cyber Trucks as Ford sold F-150 Lightning trucks

Not a surprise. But just think how much more lopsided those numbers would be, it it didn't look like it was designed by a 12 year old in the mid-1980's!

 

[scootr]

I'm not a fan of the design but I'm willing to bet some bought it for it's distinctive look... I'm rich. I'm green. Look at me

 

[jyoutz]

Sure, but it's a new vehicle model from a company that's constantly exploring new tech. So that's to be expected to some degree, and like the trailer hitch issue, I'm sure they'll get that figured out and fixed. Gale already aluded to the fact that the new model 3's and model Y's are vastly better than the first run of each, and we've honestly seen the same from Ford, with much less far-reach leaps in technology.

But will they fix "ugly"?

Is adhering body panels new tech?

 

[jmc]

Ha! Glad you figured out I was commenting on post #364, not #365 (by mistake).

Another theoretical efficiency of a serial hybrid is that if the engine only has to drive the generator, they can program the engine to only run in its most efficient rpm within its power band, not the compromised efficiency that comes with driving a gear box outside of the engine's sweet spot.

 

[jyoutz]

It should be noted that Tesla sold more than 2 times as many Cyber Trucks as Ford sold F-150 Lightning trucks. Yet there is no "Is the Ford Lightning truck a failure?" thread ?
Or is that just a given? Common knowledge, not worthy of discussion?

I’m not surprised. Most Ford truck buyers really aren’t considering EVs.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Sounds like a "series hybrid". I think the original Volt had it. And locomotives. Could be wrong though.

For one thing, a SH eliminates the transmission required in the more common hybrids, where the engine has to directly drive the wheels.

https://www.caranddriver.com/ram/1500-ramcharger

I think you're on the right track.

 

[dfkrug]

Sounds like a "series hybrid". I think the original Volt had it. And locomotives. Could be wrong though.

For one thing, a SH eliminates the transmission required in the more common hybrids, where the engine has to directly drive the wheels.

Long story, but the original Volt was promoted by GM to the auto press as a series hybrid, but it never was. There IS an ICE mechanical connection to the drive wheels. Chevy obfuscated about how the engine drove the wheels thru the transmission, in concert with the electric motors.

A friend had one, and he was able to drive his Volt PHEV as far as 30 miles before it needed engine help. Good looking car.

Since this thread is about electric trucks, I have 2 neighbors who both bought the Maverick HEV 4x4 PU, and they get 35 MPG. Wow.

 

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Since this thread is about electric trucks, I have 2 neighbors who both bought the Maverick HEV 4x4 PU, and they get 35 MPG. Wow.

Is there an SUV version of that? I have scant use of a mini-truck-bed -- I'd consider a 6.5' but I'm more likely to go straight to the SUV if I can't have a real truck bed... and my F350 isn't going anywhere so if I need a bed... but a 35mpg medium sized 4x4 SUV sounds great.