Report: Tesla Promises Pickup After SUV
Interested in what the world will be like with a Tesla pickup truck? Neither are we, but that doesn't keep Tesla CEO Elon Musk from reminding us that he wants to "distrupt" one of the biggest automotive classes in the U.S.
According to Reuters, the Tesla pickup truck hinted at when Tesla debuted a big rig just a few months ago, will be produced after the Model Y electric SUV goes to market. The Model Y will be built off the Model 3 sedan platform. Might this be pickup be called the Model PT or Model 4?
From the look of the mockup illustration shown during the big-rig debut for just a few moments, the concept pickup looks similar in shape to the semitruck but looks too tall and wide to fit the one-ton class and much too large to compete in the half-ton or 2500/3500 classes. However, as the design process moves forward, the vehicle is more likely to be something with traditional pickup lines and capabilities.
Some are suggesting that this new pickup truck could create shockwaves for big players like Ford and GM, largely based on stock market valuation of Tesla versus other automakers. The stock market values Tesla at around $53 billion, while GM is valued at $50 billion. That makes no sense to us.
To succeed, we think the Tesla pickup will need to offer a unique cargo area — possibly a front trunk? — and a unique bed so that it appeals to consumers and fleet buyers. Typical pickup buyers will be quite skeptical — and unwilling to make many compromises — but a good start would be to offer them something they've never had before. Think power generation; think a reconfigurable rear suspension; think snap-on bed cargo gear.
Whether Musk can deliver on his promise or understand that the pickup market is not populated by many tech-crazy first adopters (especially ones willing to plop down deposits of $1,000 to $3,000 for a vehicle they've never seen or tested) remains to be seen. Reuters suggests that the pickup could come in as soon as two years, but we won't hold our breath and we don't recommend you do either. Even if you can hold your breath for that long, the vehicle is likely to target government fleet buyers long before consumers can see one at a Tesla store.
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Comments
"Even if you can hold your breath for that long, the vehicle is likely to target government fleet buyers long before consumers can see one at a Tesla store."
I find this statement to be the least believable of them all. Tesla is going to want retail buyers, not fleet buyers. But certainly expect these to go into the hands of those who would drive Class 6 SUVs, hmmm?
..."especially ones willing to plop down deposits of $1,000 to $3,000 for a vehicle they've never seen or tested"
How is this different than those who spend as much or more to order trucks before they are on lots?!
Also, I agree with RoadWhale in that Tesla will have people lined up to buy the truck just as they had for the Model S, X and now the 3. But it will be a long wait...at least two years. By then, Workhorse might have deliveries going to fleets and maybe a consumer version. And who knows, electrification of existing trucks might be more of an option by then.
@Mark Williams
Stock market valuation of $50 Billion is the real reason Musk keeps pulling out more outrageous concepts and asking the " punters" too put their money into his schemes. He does not have to produce anythingbto make a lot of money on the stock exchange
Stock market valuation of $50 Billion is the real reason Musk keeps pulling out more outrageous concepts and asking the " punters" too put their money into his schemes. He does not have to produce anythingbto make a lot of money on the stock exchange
Posted by: Robert Ryan | Dec
/QUOTE
Tesla stock is so high bc smart people know EVs are the future and so far it delivered all they promised..and more is coming..
Musk has BILLIONs of $$ already,,he could simply retire and do nothing but Im guesing hed be too bored then..at least he put his money to good use creating clean runing vehicles and all those Superchargers infrastructure,,solar roofs etc..
That proves hes in it for a long run yet,,
Id like to see that Tesla pickup as 1 ton flatbed so anyone can instal whatever body they want on it,,would be perfect Rv camper,or motorhome imagine using electric power for everything including heating the cab and all..without need for noisy stinky generator,,or idling engine,,yes Tesla can do that too
https://youtu.be/2WeOc9qWujA
Bernie Madoff started the same way. Build enough to make it not look like Vapouware Then ask everyone to invest. Good way to make money
What happens when the power goes out for a week? And isn't the electricity made by sulfer spewing power plants? I can see the power grid being over taxed in a mater of time.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Sounds like Musk is worried the river of free dollars will dry up. He should be after the shakeup in Washington and after trying to make the president look bad.
Do us all a favor Musk and pay back our billions, then ride the next SpaceX launch to wherever it takes you so we don't have to hear you tell us how to live our lives.
Elon, build the pickup first.
BETTER THAN ANYTHING FROM AMERICA BUILT JUNK. FORD IS JUNK OF ALL JUNK. GARBAGE MOTORS HAHAHA
Looks like liddle Johnny doe is still up.
The F-150 Ecoboost engine is an engineering masterpiece!
Super efficient
Most torque
Best MPG
Super reliable
Quiet and smooth
Most towing and hauling in its class
Nobody - NOBODY can come close
MORE efficient than any electric truck
"What happens when the power goes out for a week? And isn't the electricity made by sulfer spewing power plants? I can see the power grid being over taxed in a mater of time.
Posted by: Joe"
Elon's goal is to eliminate those power plants and save the world for all of us. He has committed to using solar power for his roadside charging stations and will gladly sell you solar panels at very competitive prices to charge your electric vehicles at home. As far as overtaxing the power grid just look at what he did to help Australia stabilize theirs. I don't own anything related to Tesla but to accuse Elon of being stupid or evil is way off base. If he makes a product that meets my needs and I can justify it I will certainly consider buying it. I like the idea of him saving the world for us without taxing us or shoving anything down our throats. I wish him success. By the way, Teslas are the most reliable and powerful vehicles on the road, I am sure that appeals to everybody. He could probably even add simulated V8 sound for those addicted to that.
It is being absolutely being shoved down our throats when our tax dollars are given by the billions to a guy intent on changing infrastructure, landscape, and American traditions without our approval. The Left does not want you to drive a truck, they want you to be dependent on government transit and to feel guilty for emitting carbon while doing so, and Elon will gladly take in the profits (your tax dollars) by providing the government with expensive machines.
"It is being absolutely being shoved down our throats when our tax dollars are given by the billions to a guy intent on changing infrastructure, landscape, and American traditions without our approval. The Left does not want you to drive a truck, they want you to be dependent on government transit and to feel guilty for emitting carbon while doing so, and Elon will gladly take in the profits (your tax dollars) by providing the government with expensive machines.
Posted by: BD"
Other that states giving him incentives to bring good jobs to their area I am not aware of any tax money being sent his way. On the other hand, he has saved the federal govenment several billion already by putting govenment satellites in orbit for about 1/10th of what Boeing has been charging.
The F-150 Ecoboost engine is an engineering masterpiece!
Super efficient
Most torque
Best MPG
Super reliable
Quiet and smooth
Most towing and hauling in its class
Nobody - NOBODY can come close
MORE efficient than any electric truck
Posted by: Ecoboost Rules | Dec 29, 2017 2:13:45 AM
You can't be serious!!! Fuel mileage is poor on my 2017 F150 ecoboost. The Ram eco diesel and GM Duramax 2500 get better fuel economy, the leader presently is the Canyon Dmax for fuel economy empty and towing.
My F150 is a good runner and tows alright but efficient it is NOT. I do like the ride and quiet engine , but it needs a small diesel for better fuel economy and towing. I don't like the way the 3.5 ecoboost has to rev to the moon to tow up hills and get 8 mpg towing sucks. As a daily driver it is good.
"MORE efficient than any electric truck"
---- Posted by: Ecoboost Rules
Patently false statement. Approximately one-quarter as efficient as any BEV truck its same size and roughly equal to a BEV Class VIII tractor.
Do your research. Musk's multiple businesses have received 5 billion dollars including SpaceX which is given money and then charges the government to send satellites into orbit. Imagine that, being paid twice and taxpayers get nothing. Crony capitalism.
Do your research. Musk has received 5 billion dollars for multiple "businesses" including SpaceX which is given money by the government and then charges them to send satellites into orbit. Paid twice and taxpayers get nothing.
Recieving a grant and taking money from citizens in the form of taxes are two entirely different things. Musk did not take the money from you, someone else did. If you have a problem with that you need to take it up with your legislator. Also, the government did get satellites put into space that were going to go one way or another but the other way cost billions of dollars more and Musk is still looking for ways to reduce the cost even more so these savins will continue and maybe even increase.
You sound like either an overpaid Boeing worker about to fall off of the gravey train or you have serious anger issues.
Grants, tax breaks, factory construction, discounted loans and environmental credits that Tesla can sell, tax credits and rebates to buyers of solar panels and electric cars. New York and Nevada building billion-dollar factories just for Musk. TAXPAYER MONEY pays for Musk's ability to run a profit.
Make some more assumptions about me, it's cute. I pay a mountain in taxes every year and every dime I earn is because of my own hard work. I spent a decade and a half building a business from nothing, without any special deals from taxpayers. Not like the river of cash poured onto Sir Musk straight from our wallets.
You best believe HD’s are going to take a Huge hit once Tesla rolls these trucks out. These trucks will have at least a 400 mile range with Torque and HP like no other. Tesla just made Diesels a thing of the past.
As far as I’m concerned, every aspect of Tesla’s business model is a scam. Sell a product to ‘help the environment’ that actually produces more toxic waste and uses more energy than gasoline vehicles. Take thousands of dollars from me as a citizen, by force, to give to your customers. Take thousands of dollars from me when I buy a vehicle for my family through CAFE credits. Use roadways as a freeloader by not paying gasoline taxes. Take tax money from me, by force, to fuel Tesla cars and distribute that fuel. Etc Etc Etc. Elon Musk and Tesla are immoral lying thieves, and the sooner we stop their crimes the better.
Sigh... how about Tesla just focus on getting one wonderful idea into production after another? The S is the only fielded/practical/substancial, demonstrated example of their brilliance on any scale to matter (and yes it does deliver). A logical stable mate to the S with more mass appeal like the 3 (or something like it) is WWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY overdue. The promise of shingles, big rigs, and trucks are all nice but how about less promising and more delivering on older promises first?
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