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By all accounts this vehicle is a failure. I suspect it wasn't actually intended to be the core to Tesla's future though, just an "epic" little novelty treat fo

by smcl 2y ago

By all accounts this vehicle is a failure. I suspect it wasn't actually intended to be the core to Tesla's future though, just an "epic" little novelty treat for Elon and some hardcore fanbois. But I am curious what their future is supposed to look like - were they expecting to grow based on sales of the existing (four?) models or do they have a new model in the pipeline?

intrasight 2y ago
Also curious what is their long-term future as collectibles. This vehicle is emblematic of the question. With cars and especially EVs being proprietary software on wheels, how collectible are they? In another era, the cyber truck would definitely be collectible.
- seattle_spring 2y ago
  Why would it be any more collectible than, say, a Pontiac Aztek?
joakleaf 2y ago
In my opinion, this is the primary problem with Tesla (no new models?) and future directions. Tesla has promised a new Tesla Roadster for 5+ years now. There is no sign of it. Cybertruck also took ~5 years from reveal to release. Not sure where the Tesla semi is. There has been some mention of a low cost EV, but I don't think we've seen sign of that yet. Last I heard was that it was cancelled. So, given that Tesla usually uses around 3-5 years from reveal to actual production and release of a new vehicle, they are probably not going to sell any new models the next 3-5 years. Maybe updated versions of the existing line-up (like the new model Y). Obviously, last year Musk revealed the "Robovan" (a somewhat odd self-driving minibus) and the "Robotaxi" (a two-seater self-driving taxi without a driving wheel). Both of these depend on FSD living up to its name first, and neither seem to be intended for "normal" people. During the last Quarterly Earnings call Musk heavily pushed the idea that Optimus (Tesla's still in development biped robot) would increase the company's market cap by 10x. So it seems Musk thinks the future for Tesla is in the field of biped robots rather than vehicles. Musk also claimed that a Tesla would start FSD taxi-service in Texas this summer -- I find that timeline doubtful, given that it takes time to set up the infrastructure for a "taxi" company. In any case, self-driving taxis is another possibly future direction for Tesla.
- nprateem 2y ago
  > So it seems Musk thinks the future for Tesla is in the field of biped robots rather than vehicles. Really insightful there are still people who believe a word he says. Genuinely.
  - joakleaf 2y ago
    Musk likely wants to inflate the Tesla share price. He sells "visions of the future". This was always his way; FSD, low-cost trips to Mars, solar roofs, self-driving taxis and semis, tunnels everywhere to solve traffic, NeuraLink, hyperloop (sigh!)... and it appears robots is now his next tool to get publicity and increase TSLA.
    - mavhc 2y ago
      FSD is getting better each year. SpaceX has the lowest cost rockets and working on even lower cost rockets. They have the most efficient Semi and are building a factory to mass produce them. Neuralink has multiple successful human trials. And they've built robots and have the AI training for them to navigate the world
- bluedevil2k 2y ago
  > Tesla has promised a new Tesla Roadster for 5+ years now It’s actually been 7+ years. And it didn’t stop Tesla from taking $50k deposits on it and holding that money the entire time. Nothing like vaporware covering up an interest free loan. https://autos.yahoo.com/people-paid-50-000-teslas-112401833.html#:~:text=Nearly%20seven%20years%20after%20first,much%2Ddelayed%20electric%20sports%20car. https://autos.yahoo.com/people-paid-50-000-teslas-112401833....
- mavhc 2y ago
  > There has been some mention of a low cost EV, but I don't think we've seen sign of that yet. Last I heard was that it was cancelled. From that same earnings call "We are still on track to launch a more affordable model in the first half of 2025 and will continue to expand our lineup from there." https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2025/01/29/tesla-tsla-q4-2024-earnings-call-transcript/#:~:text=We%20are%20still%20on%20track%20to%20launch%20a%20more%20affordable%20model%20in%20the%20first%20half%20of%202025%20and%20will%20continue%20to%20expand%20our%20lineup%20from%20there. https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2025/01/29/te...
consumer451 2y ago
I followed Tesla and Musk pretty closely for a long time. It really seems like everything about Cybertruck was the Falcon Wing doors lesson all over again, which Musk claimed to have learned. Apparently not.
Spooky23 2y ago
They’ve moved past cars. Now cars are passé. It’s all about robot taxis and droids.

by smcl 2y ago

intrasight 2y ago

Also curious what is their long-term future as collectibles. This vehicle is emblematic of the question. With cars and especially EVs being proprietary software on wheels, how collectible are they? In another era, the cyber truck would definitely be collectible.

seattle_spring 2y ago
Why would it be any more collectible than, say, a Pontiac Aztek?

joakleaf 2y ago

In my opinion, this is the primary problem with Tesla (no new models?) and future directions. Tesla has promised a new Tesla Roadster for 5+ years now. There is no sign of it. Cybertruck also took ~5 years from reveal to release. Not sure where the Tesla semi is. There has been some mention of a low cost EV, but I don't think we've seen sign of that yet. Last I heard was that it was cancelled. So, given that Tesla usually uses around 3-5 years from reveal to actual production and release of a new vehicle, they are probably not going to sell any new models the next 3-5 years. Maybe updated versions of the existing line-up (like the new model Y). Obviously, last year Musk revealed the "Robovan" (a somewhat odd self-driving minibus) and the "Robotaxi" (a two-seater self-driving taxi without a driving wheel). Both of these depend on FSD living up to its name first, and neither seem to be intended for "normal" people. During the last Quarterly Earnings call Musk heavily pushed the idea that Optimus (Tesla's still in development biped robot) would increase the company's market cap by 10x. So it seems Musk thinks the future for Tesla is in the field of biped robots rather than vehicles. Musk also claimed that a Tesla would start FSD taxi-service in Texas this summer -- I find that timeline doubtful, given that it takes time to set up the infrastructure for a "taxi" company. In any case, self-driving taxis is another possibly future direction for Tesla.

nprateem 2y ago
> So it seems Musk thinks the future for Tesla is in the field of biped robots rather than vehicles. Really insightful there are still people who believe a word he says. Genuinely.
- joakleaf 2y ago
  Musk likely wants to inflate the Tesla share price. He sells "visions of the future". This was always his way; FSD, low-cost trips to Mars, solar roofs, self-driving taxis and semis, tunnels everywhere to solve traffic, NeuraLink, hyperloop (sigh!)... and it appears robots is now his next tool to get publicity and increase TSLA.
  - mavhc 2y ago
    FSD is getting better each year. SpaceX has the lowest cost rockets and working on even lower cost rockets. They have the most efficient Semi and are building a factory to mass produce them. Neuralink has multiple successful human trials. And they've built robots and have the AI training for them to navigate the world
bluedevil2k 2y ago
> Tesla has promised a new Tesla Roadster for 5+ years now It’s actually been 7+ years. And it didn’t stop Tesla from taking $50k deposits on it and holding that money the entire time. Nothing like vaporware covering up an interest free loan. https://autos.yahoo.com/people-paid-50-000-teslas-112401833.html#:~:text=Nearly%20seven%20years%20after%20first,much%2Ddelayed%20electric%20sports%20car. https://autos.yahoo.com/people-paid-50-000-teslas-112401833....
mavhc 2y ago
> There has been some mention of a low cost EV, but I don't think we've seen sign of that yet. Last I heard was that it was cancelled. From that same earnings call "We are still on track to launch a more affordable model in the first half of 2025 and will continue to expand our lineup from there." https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2025/01/29/tesla-tsla-q4-2024-earnings-call-transcript/#:~:text=We%20are%20still%20on%20track%20to%20launch%20a%20more%20affordable%20model%20in%20the%20first%20half%20of%202025%20and%20will%20continue%20to%20expand%20our%20lineup%20from%20there. https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2025/01/29/te...

consumer451 2y ago

I followed Tesla and Musk pretty closely for a long time. It really seems like everything about Cybertruck was the Falcon Wing doors lesson all over again, which Musk claimed to have learned. Apparently not.

Spooky23 2y ago

They’ve moved past cars. Now cars are passé. It’s all about robot taxis and droids.