Tesla Motors - Page 9

Tesla Inc. has pushed back initial production of its futuristic-looking Cybertruck to the first quarter of 2023, according to a Reuters report, which cited a person familiar with the matter.

Production of the electric pickup had been expected to start later this year but was delayed by a decision to change some of the pickup’s features, the report said.

In December, Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to Twitter questions about the truck’s capabilities, saying initial production would be of a four-motor variant, with independent steering of the front and back wheels, which would allow it to drive diagonally “like a crab.”

If and when it does finally come to market, the Cybertruck will have stiff competition from rivals including Ford Motor Co.’s electric F-150 Lightning pickup, set to go on sale in Spring, and General Motors Co.’s Silverado, set to make its debut a year later.

The Cybertruck caused a Twitter storm for all the wrong reasons when Musk unveiled it in November 2019. Tesla’s chief designer was demonstrating the protective capabilities of the vehicles’ armored glass by hurling a metal ball at the windows. Things didn’t go to plan when the front driver-side window smashed, leaving a red-faced Musk to quip: “Maybe that was a little too hard.”

Tesla has finally received full approval to begin production and delivery of customer cars at Giga Berlin.

The full approval comes after Tesla was able to meet the 400 “conditions and requirements” related to things like groundwater protection, species protection measures, and more that were part of the environmental approval that was received on March 4, 2022. (via Sawyer Merritt)

With their operating permit now in place, Tesla can move ahead and begin production and delivery of customer cars.

The first deliveries will take place on March 22, when Tesla plans to hold a special grand opening event with local officials and CEO Elon Musk in attendance.

Musk is expected to personally deliver the first 30 made-in-Germany cars to the lucky new owners.

Once those first 30 Model Y Performance SUVs are delivered, Giga Berlin is expected to quickly ramp production.

Crews at the factory have been able to fine-tune their production line processes during the months of delays in receiving the final approvals.