Tesla aims to make 200,000 Cybertrucks per year, up from 125,000; release date set for Nov. 30

Tesla is aiming to make 200,000 units of its electric pickup truck Cybertruck per year once production ramps up, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast on Tuesday.

The highly anticipated Cybertruck is set to commence deliveries on November 30, nearly four years after its unveiling at an event in Los Angeles, where a demo of its “armor glass” window famously cracked during a series of durability tests. Musk added that earlier estimations positioned Tesla’s capacity to manufacture over 125,000 Cybertrucks annually, with a potential to scale up to 250,000 by 2025.

During the show, Musk explained the significant challenges encountered in Cybertruck production. Referring to an earlier earnings call, he acknowledged the hurdles faced in ramping up production and achieving profitability. He also compared the actual production to the initial design.

“We’re aiming to make about 200,000 a year at point production … maybe a little more, but I just can’t emphasize enough that manufacturing is much much harder than the initial design,” Musk said about the futuristic-looking Cybertruck.

“We dug our own grave with Cybertruck,” he had said on an earnings call earlier this month, adding the company could face “enormous challenges” in ramping up production and making it cash-flow positive.

The Cybertruck represents Tesla’s debut into the electric pickup truck segment, scheduled to enter production in late 2023. Its unique design features a stainless steel body, an extendable bed spanning over 10 feet, and cutting-edge elements like a 17-inch touchscreen, a built-in solar panel, and autonomous capabilities.

With over 1 million pre-orders received, Tesla is targeting a production rate of 200,000 units annually, positioning the Cybertruck among the top-selling electric vehicles in the market.

The disclosure of Cybertruck’s production goals and pricing range signifies a crucial milestone for Tesla, demonstrating its commitment to bringing this innovative electric pickup to the market, driven by the belief in robust consumer demand.

Cybertruck Pricing

While the company revealed the starting price of $39,900 for the single-motor model back in 2019, it is estimated that the prices of the dual-motor and the tri-motor model will start at $70,000 and $80,000 respectively.

However, the single-motor model may not be available for the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck ahead of the start of deliveries in November. meaning that buyers may have to pony up $70,000 or more. For the Cybertruck’s first year on the market, a document from NHTSA revealed that Tesla will only offer dual- and tri-motor all-wheel drive models which will carry higher starting prices.

The Cybertruck is anticipated to be a formidable competitor to other electric pickup trucks such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T. Observers are keen to witness the Cybertruck’s performance in the market and ascertain whether it will achieve Tesla’s ambitious production target of 200,000 units annually.

Meanwhile, below is a video Musk shared on X of Joe Rogan shooting an arrow at a Cybertruck.

“Joe Rohan shatters an arrow on Cybertruck that would easily go through a normal car,” Musk posted.

Full video for anyone who wants to see it. pic.twitter.com/u0V82D8mUE

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 31, 2023