The Los Angeles Auto Show last year commenced with the Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover taking on the Tesla Model Y. But, it ended with the US electric vehicle maker Tesla in its usual position with a surprise unveiling of a pickup truck that the world has never seen before. The all-electric Tesla Cybertruck caught the world by surprise, with its polarizing sci-fi futuristic design and industry bursting performance figures all at a competitive starting price of $39,000.
A report from Boston.com reveals that Metro Detroit Ford F-150 enthusiasts that the Tesla Cybertruck have their attention. However, when it comes to purchasing the pickup truck, F-150 enthusiasts have some reservations about the all-electric pickup truck from Tesla. Among these include the battery range as well as the reliability of the truck as compared to gas-powered vehicles.
While the roll-out was insane (in a positive way), Tesla has to address conventional concerns that Detroit Three pickup owners value, says the report. This includes performance, stability, and versatility. Chevrolet, Ram, and Ford auto brands have these attributes and were able to dominate the biggest auto industry segment in the US for years.
Ford first introduced an aluminum body for the F-150 a few years ago, and Chevrolet responded in the same manner as Tesla by dropping a toolbox on the truck bed of the F-150 that punctured it. Meanwhile, Silverado's truck bed is made of rolled-steel while the Tesla Cybertruck has a stainless steel skin. Another concern that truck enthusiasts have about the Tesla Cybertruck is its miles of range.
TFLTruck test vehicles on the challenging landscape of Colorado and the team recently tested Tesla Model X SUV. The team discovers that the Model X only gets 30 percent of the predicted 325 miles of range, which could be the same issue that the Cybertruck could face. Another concern about Cybertruck is the lack of charging infrastructure, particularly in the rural part of the US.
Ford F-150 enthusiasts are technologically curious by nature and are intrigued by the electronic wizardry of the Tesla Cybertruck, says the report. Tesla's all-electric pickup truck will arrive in 2021 and 2022. It is still a long way to go, and the prototype that the world saw at the Los Angeles Auto Show could still change.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk may have also considered these concerns raised by Ford F-150 enthusiasts. Musk may already have a workaround for this kind of concern, especially that in his past statements and actions, he appeared to want to challenge the reign and dominance of the Ford F-150 in the pickup truck segment.
