Tesla’s polarizing stainless steel electric pickup truck unveiled in 2019, became internet sensation for its bizarre design and shattered window demo fail.
The Unveiling Disaster
November 21, 2019, Elon Musk revealed the Cybertruck at Tesla Design Studio. Angular, origami-like stainless steel body looked like sci-fi video game render. Then Franz von Holzhausen threw a metal ball at “armor glass” windows. Both windows shattered on stage. Musk laughed awkwardly: “Room for improvement.”
Internet exploded. Memes flooded Twitter within minutes: Cybertruck comparisons to PS1 graphics, brutalist architecture, Halo Warthog, DeLorean. Polarization was instant: “genius” vs. “hideous.” No middle ground.
Pre-Order Frenzy
Despite (or because of) controversy, 250,000 pre-orders in first week ($100 refundable deposits). By 2021, pre-orders hit 1+ million. Starting price: $39,900 (single motor), $49,900 (dual), $69,900 (tri-motor).
Production delays became legendary. Promised 2021 delivery slipped to 2022, then 2023, then late 2023. First deliveries: November 2023, four years late. Price increased to $60,990 (dual motor), angering early reservation holders.
Design Controversy
Exoskeleton design used Ultra-Hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel, requiring no paint. Angles avoided curved stamping. “Looks like a doorstop” became common critique. Federal safety regulators questioned pedestrian safety (sharp edges, hard surfaces).
Musk claimed design was inspired by Blade Runner and Lotus Esprit submarine car from James Bond. Functionality: 6.5-foot bed, 14,000-pound towing, 500+ mile range (tri-motor), 0-60 in 2.9 seconds.
Cultural Icon Before Launch
Cybertruck became cultural reference before a single customer delivery. Celebrity reservations: Jay Leno, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian. Lego sets, die-cast models, video game mods proliferated.
Tesla erected a Cybertruck statue outside Giga Texas factory - monument to a truck that didn’t exist yet. Competitors mocked it: Ford F-150 Lightning tug-of-war videos, Rivian emphasizing traditional truck aesthetics.
Vaporware Criticism
By 2022-2023, skeptics called Cybertruck vaporware - generating deposits and attention but never delivering. Tesla focused on Model Y production instead. When deliveries finally began late 2023, prices were 50%+ higher than initially promised.