Is the Cyber Truck a Flop?

[jyoutz]

I've worked for two different privately-owned businesses which had grown so large and successful that the founder of each began to think they could do no wrong... and then they did. I see Elon making the same mistakes, most notably at getting involved in politics and leading the DOGE under an administration that most of his original customer base might consider the opposition.

Maybe he thought he'd keep his early adopter fanatics, while pickup up a whole new customer base from the opposite side of the aisle?

The only thing that ever happens when a business attaches themselves to politics, is that they lose half their potential customer base. And in the case of an EV company, alienating those on the left has to be akin to throwing away the larger half.

It doesn’t matter what business you’re in or what your politics is. Display of political positions will turn away half your prospective customers. Not smart.

 

[BravoXray]

Besides, ugly only appeals to a small demographic of people, no matter how expensive it is..

 

[ultrarunner]

The cyber truck is so polarizing and weird, it was gonna fail regardless of what Elon did.

Then we got to see the front control arms crumpling up like wet noodles, and the rear frame cracking in half if any excessive tongue loads are applied to the trailer hitch. Not to mention the glued on stainless panels falling off, normal snowfall completely blocking the headlights, and more.

Immediately out of consideration for any real truck user; relegated to "shiny toy for cosplayers" status. Thats a pretty small market.

Still see them everyday… although more are paired… anything from camo to bright reds…

 

[ultrarunner]

It doesn’t matter what business you’re in or what your politics is. Display of political positions will turn away half your prospective customers. Not smart.

I don’t know… Planned Parenthood seems solid on their customer base and know where it’s funding originates.

 

[WinterDeere]

I don’t know… Planned Parenthood seems solid on their customer base and know where it’s funding originates.

Non-profit entities may have different end goals.

 

[jyoutz]

I don’t know… Planned Parenthood seems solid on their customer base and know where it’s funding originates.

Not a retail business.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

With the EV tax credits expiring... It will be interesting to see if people will actually pay for an EV without tax payer subsidies.

I don't think the CT was eligible for those due to it's high cost

 

[WinterDeere]

I think it's been a few years since subsidies were really a big factor for Tesla. Moreso for other makers later to the game.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I think it's been a few years since subsidies were really a big factor for Tesla. Moreso for other makers later to the game.

Why would you say that? They all had the same $$ thrown at each automobile.

 

[WinterDeere]

Why would you say that? They all had the same $$ thrown at each automobile.

The biggest subsidy Tesla ever received was their $0.5B ATVM loan, which they paid back 9 years early in 2013. Ford received 12 times that amount, $5.9B, and never repaid it. Nissan received $1.4B, and repaid it in 2017.

The ATVM definitely helped them get off the ground, but it was a loan, not a subsidy.

After that, there were the customer incentives to buy EV's, which was applicable to the first 200k vehicles sold by each manufacturer. This was $7500 paid to each buyer, not to the auto makers. Tesla crossed that threshold way back in 2018, so none of the vehicles they sold in 2019 - 2022 were incentivized by any consumer tax credit, and those were some of their biggest growth years.

For some stupid reason, the credit was extended after 2022, which seems unnecessary at this point. There are plenty of interviews to be found, in which Elon was arguing against the extension of this tax credit, saying it was a stupid waste of taxpayer money. Of course, he knew it would benefit his competitors much more than it would benefit Tesla, at that point in time.