Tesla Cybertruck gets 146,000 pre-bookings worth $8 billion, and counting

Barely three days after it was first revealed, the Tesla Cybertruck electric pick-up truck, which, with its polarising design has drawn a mixed bag of comments and reviews from auto industry stakeholders, EV aficionados as well as non-automotive sector observers, has amassed over 146,000 orders, estimated to be worth over US$ 8 billion (Rs 57,456 crore).

In a tweet earlier today, CEO Elon Musk confirmed the same saying said: "146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri & 17% single motor. With no advertising & no paid endorsement."

Given the 146,000 pre-bookings in hand and the model-wise split that Elon Musk has detailed, let's do the math then. Here’s the breakdown of orders based on Musk’stweet:

Cybertruck Dual Motor: 61,320 units (42% / $49,900) worth around $3.05 billion
Cybertruck Tri-Motor 'Plaid': 59,860 units (41% / $ 69,900) worth $ 4.18 billion
Cybertruck Single Motor: 24,820 (17% / $39,900) worth an estimated $ 1 billion

Put it all together and the prebooking amount for the three Tesla Cybertruck variants adds up to US $ 8.23 billion. Not bad for a product with zero advertising other than Elon Musk's vast fan following.

The all-electric Cybertruck is the same length (5.87m) as traditional competitors, but that’s where the similarities end. For starters, it features a radical wedge-shape design unlike anything else, which Musk insists isn’t far from production readiness. 

The Cybertruck’s promised spec list is equally stunning. Three powertrain options will be offered with one, two or three electric motors. The single motor, rear-drive only version is said to do 0-100kph in 6.5 secs, with no quoted battery size but a claimed range of 250 miles / 400 kilometres. It can also tow 3,400kg, with a 1360kg payload. This is said to cost from $39,900 (around Rs 28.65 lakh) before any government incentives. 

Next up is the mid-range dual-motor variant, offering all-wheel drive, a claimed 0-100kph time of 4.5sec and the ability to tow over 4,500kg. That is said to cost $49,900 (Rs 35,83 lakh) before incentives. 

The crowning glory is the top-level car, using Tesla’s latest tri-motor ‘Plaid’ EV powertrain. Priced from $69,900 (Rs 50.20 lakh), its specs include a claimed 500-mile / 800-kilometres range on a charge, 0-100kph in just 2.9sec, and the ability to complete the quarter mile in just over 10sec. The towing capacity is 6,350kg, Musk claims. 

Will the surge of pre-bookings for the Tesla Cybertruck come close to that of the Model 3 when it was launched in April 2016? A staggering 276,000 deposits were put down in the first 72 hours of the order books being opened, with 117,000 of those pre-orders placed before the car had been unveiled! Within the first week of its launch, the number had climbed to 325,000. The buzz, clearly, is back with Tesla and Elon Musk. Stay plugged in.

(Inputs from Lawrence Allan, Autocar UK)

Also read: Tesla Cybertruck design a 'PR stunt', says Automobili Pininfarina CEO

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