The Tesla Cybertruck is arguably the most controversial new vehicle on the market–five years after it was initially shown to the public in prototype form. Some love it, others hate it, but one thing is clear: you’ll be noticed on the road if you happen to be inside a Cybertruck.
It’s an attention-grabbing machine, and its sales success has so far been undeniable. It managed to climb to the top of the best-selling electric pickups chart in the second quarter in the United States, surpassing the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning, both of which have been on sale for longer.
But the initial boost seems to be drying out. Yesterday, workers at Tesla’s Austin factory, which assembles the Cybertruck, were told to stay home for the next three days, according to a memo seen by Business Insider. “On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week (Dec. 3-5), you do not need to report to work,” the memo said.
I was really interested in a Model-S when it came out. I even test-drove one. But the fact that it’s a rolling surveillance nightmare on wheels gave me pause (not Tesla-specific in fairness, all modern cars are) .
So I kept my good old non-connected diesel going, but I kept being attracted to the Model-S for years.
Now that Musk has shown the sort of man he truly is though, I’m not touching Tesla with a ten foot pole. So I too am glad I held off: I’d be ashamed to be seen in a Tesla today, and I’d be rather annoyed if I had given that man my money.