Alright, imagine you have a big toy car company. You're famous for making really fast and eco-friendly cars called Tesla.
Now, you've made a new giant truck called Cybertruck. It's super special because it's the biggest electric vehicle your company has ever made. You showed it to everyone in 2019 and said it would come in three types: a cheap one for $39,900, a medium one for $49,900, and an expensive one with three motors for $69,900.
But when you started selling them this year, the prices went up. The cheapest one is now $79,990, which is still cheaper than your other cool cars like Model S (starting at $89,990) and Model X (starting at $104,990). But it's still a lot of money, so not as many people are buying the Cybertruck as you thought they would.
Even though the CEO said he wants to make 250,000 Cybertrucks in 2025, right now your truck factory in Texas can only make about half that number each year. And it's hard to make more because this truck is really unusual and not like your other cars.
You also haven't made the cheapest version yet, which could help more people buy the Cybertruck. But one of your engineers said it hasn't been canceled, so maybe you'll make it later.
So, in simple terms, the big new electric truck from Tesla is doing well but not as great as they hoped. It's still pretty expensive, and they're having a hard time making lots of them because the design is so different.
Read from source...
**Critics' Take on the Tesla Cybertruck Article:**
1. **Inconsistencies:**
- The article mentions that Cybertruck deliveries began, but it doesn't specify when they started.
- While initially reporting that production is constrained by design, it later suggests that a cheaper variant might help boost delivery numbers, implying a shift in the constraint explanation.
- The installed annual vehicle capacity at Tesla's Texas gigafactory was mentioned as 125,000 units (half of Musk's goal for next year), but the article doesn't clarify if this is only for Cybertruck or includes other models.
2. **Biases:**
- The article focuses heavily on missed expectations and unmet production goals without fully exploring the reasons behind these challenges, which could create a negative bias against Tesla or the Cybertruck.
- It also highlights Elon Musk's ambitious projections but doesn't thoroughly discuss the significant improvements Tesla has made in production and deliveries over time.
3. **Irrational Arguments:**
- The article doesn't directly address the competitive landscape of electric pickup trucks, where Tesla faces rivals like Ford's F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and others. Mentioning these competitors might help contextualize Cybertruck's performance.
- It also lacks a clear explanation of why offering a cheaper variant could drive delivery numbers higher despite initial prices being higher than previously announced.
4. **Emotional Behavior:**
- The tone of the article is somewhat critical, emphasizing missed targets and price increases without enough balance on Tesla's achievements in the electric vehicle market or the Cybertruck's unique features.
- It also seems to indulge in 'fear of missing out' (FOMO) by mentioning celebrities popularizing the Cybertruck but doesn't elaborate on the broader demand or practical advantages of the vehicle.
Neutral to slightly bearish. Here's why:
1. **Price Increase:** The Cybertruck's current prices are higher than initially announced, which might deter some potential buyers who were attracted by the lower pricing.
2. **Production Constraints:** While deliveries are growing, they're falling short of Elon Musk's expectations due to production constraints related to the vehicle's unique design.
3. **Lack of Cheaper Variant:** The absence of a cheaper variant (the single-motor RWD version) may limit affordability for some customers.
However, the article also mentions:
1. **Gross Margin Achievement in Mexico and Canada:** This signals progress in global sales and production efficiency.
2. **No Cancellation of Cheaper Variant:** Company engineer Wes Morrill hinted that a cheaper variant might still be available later.
These points lean it towards neutral territory, as they suggest potential for future growth despite current headwinds.