Tesla finally delivered its highly anticipated Cybertruck pickups to customers on Thursday, although two years behind schedule due to manufacturing challenges. CEO Elon Musk showcased the angular electric trucks at a ceremony held at the company's factory in Austin, Texas. The event was broadcast on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, which Musk acquired last year. The ceremony began with Musk driving the truck onto a dark stage and then hopping into the bed to discuss the vehicle's unique features. According to Musk, the Cybertruck is "the most unique thing on the road" and will bring the future to the present.

The Cybertruck is designed to target the most profitable segment of the US auto market, currently dominated by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, the parent company of Ram truck. However, since Musk unveiled the Cybertruck four years ago, all three Detroit automakers have introduced their own electric trucks. Ford and GM have already released their electric trucks, while the electric Ram is set to debut early next year. The Ford F-Series, GM's Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram pickups are the top-selling vehicles in the country, with nearly 1.7 million units sold collectively between January and October. These trucks often command prices exceeding $100,000 per vehicle.

Musk highlighted that the Cybertruck's body is made of a unique stainless steel alloy developed by Tesla. The angular design of the body panels was necessary since they cannot be formed using traditional stamping methods. Musk touted the advantages of stainless steel, emphasizing its corrosion resistance and the absence of the need for paint. Despite its unique design, the truck can still be mass-produced. The Cybertruck boasts 17 inches of ground clearance for off-road driving and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. It features four-wheel steering, with the steering effort adjusting based on the vehicle's speed. The truck has a payload capacity of over one ton and can tow more than 11,000 pounds, according to Musk.

To demonstrate the truck's capabilities, Musk presented videos showing the Cybertruck winning a quarter-mile race against a Porsche 911 while towing another Porsche. Another video showcased the Cybertruck outperforming a Ford Super Duty pickup in terms of towing capacity. However, despite the impressive features and performance, achieving mass production has proven challenging for Tesla. Musk admitted on an earnings conference call in October that manufacturing the Cybertruck has been more difficult than anticipated. He expressed doubts about meeting the initial production target of 250,000 units per year until 2025. Generating positive cash flow while keeping the truck affordable for consumers also poses a significant challenge for the company.

Musk emphasized that Tesla could have easily produced trucks similar to those already on the market, but he wanted to create something innovative and special. He acknowledged the complexities involved in bringing groundbreaking products to market and ensuring profitability. However, Musk expects an upcoming lower-cost Tesla car to be more conventional and, therefore, easier to manufacture. On Tesla's website, the rear-wheel-drive version of the Cybertruck is estimated to start at $60,990, while the top-line “Cyberbeast” model is projected to start at $99,990. Reservations for the truck can be made with a refundable deposit of $250. The estimated range for the Cybertruck is between 250 and 340 miles on a single charge.

During the delivery ceremony, Musk reenacted a stunt that went wrong during the Cybertruck's unveiling in 2019. At that event, a Tesla executive threw a metal ball at the prototype's supposedly shatterproof windows, causing them to crack. This time, an executive threw a baseball at the windows, and they remained intact, showcasing the improved strength. At the ceremony, a line of trucks drove to a stage where customers met Musk for photos, and he personally escorted them to their vehicles, mostly entering through the passenger side.