The Tesla Cybertruck had attracted a lot when it was officially unveiled to the public. But, the electric vehicle maker is not stopping there, and seemingly as part of its marketing campaign its used Ford F-150 to a tug-of-war challenge with the Cybertruck. Ford cried unfair, and called the challenge absurd, but, it seems Tesla indirectly echoed Ford's sentiment about the challenge in a letter sent to California's Air Resources Board (ARB).
Automotive News reportedly obtained a letter from Tesla Senior Managing Policy Advisor Sarah Van Cleve sent to the Air Resources Board (ARB) of California. The letter, according to the site, reveals how the tesla executive indirectly admitted that the Tesla Cybertruck and the Ford F-150 are not in the same segment.
While we have not yet begun production of the Cybertruck, we expect it to have a towing capacity of 7,500 to 14,000-plus pounds, and it should very likely qualify as a Class 2B-3 medium-duty vehicle.
Trucks that fall into the Class 2B category have a gross vehicle weight rating ranging between 8,501 and 10,000 pounds. This level is way beyond Ford F-150's, which is a Class 2a model. In this particular segment, you could find other models like the Ford F-250, Ram 2500, and the Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Yukon 2500 Twins.
This video of Tesla's new Cybertruck winning a tug-of-war with a Ford F-150 doesn't mean it's more powerful or has more torque. The contest actually just shows Tesla's truck is heavier. Here's the physics behind it: https://t.co/7Ktbghg7ikpic.twitter.com/eu73Clwgz3 — WIRED (@WIRED) November 26, 2019
If we look at it in this perspective, Tesla's repeated claims that the Cybertruck will let the Ford F-150 eat dust becomes inaccurate, irrelevant, and borderline misleading claims Digital Trends. The truck also looks less capable when compared to Ford F-250, adds the site. The 2020 model prides its maximum payload of 4,260 pounds and its ability to tow up to 22,800 pounds when properly equipped, the site continues.
Tesla Cybertruck's figures check-in at 3,500 and 14,000, and with a base price of $39,000, it becomes far expensive than Ford F-250, which has a base price of $33,705. Comparison is only accurate if it is made between an apple and an apple. So, it is premature to give any conclusions based on a comparison of two different vehicles sharing only a few things in common and developed for different market segments.
Currently, ford is developing an electric version of the Ford F-150, which is scheduled to be available in 2020. However, the odds are, it might not be of the same category as the Tesla Cybertruck. But, we could never really tell at this point until the truck makes its official debut.
