Telo EV Pickup Truck first look: 5 seats, 5 foot bed, 350 miles range, 0-60 in 4 seconds, size of Mini Cooper ?

[SoCal Rob]

Cool idea, but a VERY niche market - subcompact truck. Not sure why so many startups are focusing on a truck right now when the market is clearly demanding SUVs. Build the SUV, prove profitability, and then scale to niche vehicles. For as much as I love my T, I think Rivian would be in better shape right now had they focused on putting out the S first.

If Rivian wanted bragging rights of being the first to market with a modern electric pickup truck then I think they made the right choice. Rivian barely beat the F-150 Lightning and I have no idea how that would’ve impacted reviews and sales if they hadn’t.

Also, with the Gear Tunnel the R1T is unique and has more differentiation from competing ICE products than the R1S does. People have seen frunks on other consumer vehicles, even ICE, but I think the Gear Tunnel generated a LOT of positive press with the reviewer/influencer-popping-out-of-the-Gear-Tunnel or look-through-the-body-with-both-Gear-Tunnel-doors-open shots that were on virtually every early review.

The R1S, on the other hand, was remarkable for looking more like an ICE 7-passenger SUV with a nice boxy volume of space than a Tesla Model X which is admirably efficient but at the cost of traditional SUV utility. Combine the traditional SUV shape with the benefits of an EV frunk and it’s definitely an improvement, but not as mind-blowing for many people.

As-is, Rivian was first to market with a modern EV pickup AND first to market with a functional 3-row SUV.

edit: I forgot to mention that I absolutely LOVE our R1S and never considered an R1T because of our use cases, so I’m not writing that as a truck owner just trying to justify my preferences.

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[Count Orlok]

Much nicer than the ChildTruck... er I mean cybertruck.

 

[Mathme]

Interesting concept but not so sure about how it'd pass safety requirements -doesn't look to be any front crumple zone in there to protect the occupants.

 

[SASSquatch]

It's an interesting concept but I don't see how they could pass crash testing without adequate crumple zones in the front.

There appears to be very little space between the occupants and the front of the vehicle. I am not sure why that design decision is even necessary.

You could easily make the front end another 2 feet longer and add some frunk space to make the design more functional and more safety conscious.

 

[SASSquatch]

Interesting concept but not so sure about how it'd pass safety requirements -doesn't look to be any front crumple zone in there to protect the occupants.

Jinx!

 

[Zoidz]

My point here was the picture, not the process. Everything that you put out for public consumption needs to serve a purpose and convey a feeling that you want people to have. You announce a product for a reason. You market that product to get customers or investors and whatnot. It's marketing.

The wooden frame picture, I'm sure is show that four, full size people can fit in the vehicle. Unfortunately, it doesn't do that. It speaks more to how far away they are from production, and the likelihood of them getting to the point where they would be mass manufacturing.

Production viability is one of the biggest challenges for any potential manufacturer due to organizations like Elio, Canoo, FF, Munro, Delorean, Alpha, Lordstown, and more.

I agree. In a new product announcment, especially for a startup, you have to convey confidence and polish. The mock up photo certainly tells an interesting story, but IMO they should hold that back until after the product is released, and do a "back in the early days" type of story.

 

[Zoidz]

It's an interesting concept but I don't see how they could pass crash testing without adequate crumple zones in the front.

And I don't think it meets requirements for a front bumper. I'm certainly no automotive design expert, but I'm pretty sure US and European laws require some bumper sort of device in front of the tires to meet pedestrian safety requirements. Those front tires are fully exposed.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Much nicer than the ChildTruck... er I mean cybertruck.

And it’s probably more likely to actually exist at some point too.

 

[PastyPilgrim]

Anyone that's had their R1T for a while has certainly gotten lots of comments and questions from the hardcore truck crowd. I can't even imagine how distressed they would be with one of those.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Anyone that's had their R1T for a while has certainly gotten lots of comments and questions from the hardcore truck crowd. I can't even imagine how distressed they would be with one of those.

Totally. I had a guy feeling some type of way over my truck the week I got it. He was driving a jacked up F250 and his buddy was asking me questions about the Rivian and he got all pissed off and was like "Well, you can't tow for a very long range like I can" and stormed off in a huff. I don't need to tow for long range personally and if I did I agree the Rivian isn't the truck for it but to make someone feel that insecure over what they drive it has to be a pretty cool truck.

 

[CharonPDX]

Unless all of the people in those photos/renders are 7.5 feet tall, there's no way that's a 5' bed.

 

[EVentually]

This man knows damn well he doesn't fit back there.

 

[CharonPDX]

Anyone that's had their R1T for a while has certainly gotten lots of comments and questions from the hardcore truck crowd. I can't even imagine how distressed they would be with one of those.

Eh… Hyundai Santa Cruz, Ford Maverick exist. As did Subaru Baja, BRAT, Chevy El Camino, etc.

 

[Belem]

As a lover of Kei trucks, I'm ok with this.

 

[PastyPilgrim]

Eh… Hyundai Santa Cruz, Ford Maverick exist. As did Subaru Baja, BRAT, Chevy El Camino, etc.

Something about electric combined with the high price of the Rivian really gets them in a tiff though. Or maybe it's all non-work trucks, I dunno, I've not owned any of them before.

As a lover of Kei trucks, I'm ok with this.

Yesss, I'm obsessed with Kei trucks. I'd love for them to become a thing in the US (electric or not). I'd probably like this one a bit more if it was boxier and/or more traditional, but I didn't love the Rivian's look at first either, so I'll reserve judgment for now.

Just a few weeks ago I got an RC Kei truck (https://www.wpl-rc.com/products/d-12) so I'm doing my part to bring electric Kei trucks to the west!

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