Cybertruck popularity vs R1

[Epicloop]

Is the CT a better option for the general public? I don't understand the CT infatuation, will it live up to expectations?
Is the CT going to help or hinder R1 sales? The range and charging curve are not exactly stellar on the CT & soon enough the SC network will open up to R1 owners.
I put in a reservation for the CT but at this point for my use's it would mostly be a downgrade.

Sponsored

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

It's a good question. But I think they are different buyers.. Cyber truck is a different vehicle groundbreaking in many ways like the drive-by wire system for example. But the Rivian is a more traditional looking truck but still very futuristic looking as well. The cyber truck has the four-wheel steering also which will compete with what GM has but it's just a different vehicle.

I will say the range on the cyber truck is a little disappointing. True. They do have the range extender however that takes up a good portion of the bed and it's an extra 16,000. If you're after a head turner, the cyber truck will certainly accomplish that.

 

[usulio]

Many, many people will consider R1T and R1S and would never consider a cybertruck, it's not a serious car they would drive to work or around town.

Cybertruck may raise awareness of existence and capabilities of EVs which is good.

Neither is in a reasonable price range for the general public, need the R2 for that.

 

[COdogman]

According to RJ they don’t see much overlap in the customer base of the R1 and CT. We see a few here, but overall I think he is right.

 

[RIVIANR1SGTR]

The Cybertruck is for those who want to be pointed at and have their picture taken.

While it has some internal advancements that the common buyer doesn’t care for, it’s missing a lot of things buyers do care for….. like interior design.

 

[BigSkies]

It's never going to be a broadly popular vehicle. There are people who like cars particularly because of how different they are. So there's a niche for it. But they'll be selling in the tens-of-thousands a year, not the hundreds-of-thousands a year.

I also think it's instructive to look at the sales performance of prior "odd" vehicles like the FJ Cruiser or early 2000's Mini Cooper. These are vehicle designs that were built on the premise of being different for the sake of being different. They sold well in the first year or two of production, but sales tapered off after it was no longer a unique/trendy thing.

IIRC, the FJ cruiser sold about 50k vehicles in its first year of production, but was only about 10k/yr every year after that until it was discontinued. I suspect the sales curve of CT deliveries will take a somewhat similar trajectory.

 

[runwithscissors]

The best part of the CT is to not have to park in east jabip and worry about door dings. I'd definitely get it wrapped though if I were to get one.

 

[Epicloop]

According to RJ they don’t see much overlap in the customer base of the R1 and CT. We see a few here, but overall I think he is right.

Reading through the forums it is quite surprising what vehicles people cross shop with. I don't think the current CT iteration will hurt R1 sales, if anything it may bring more awareness of R1 qualities.

I suspect the sales curve of CT deliveries will take a somewhat similar trajectory

I am curious about that as well, but the Tesla has quite the following.

 

[BeanEW]

Most of the Tesla fanboys cannot afford it... Most of the non-Tesla fanboy will not buy it. You make the call.

 

[madgrey]

It's never going to be a broadly popular vehicle. There are people who like cars particularly because of how different they are. So there's a niche for it. But they'll be selling in the tens-of-thousands a year, not the hundreds-of-thousands a year.

I also think it's instructive to look at the sales performance of prior "odd" vehicles like the FJ Cruiser or early 2000's Mini Cooper. These are vehicle designs that were built on the premise of being different for the sake of being different. They sold well in the first year or two of production, but sales tapered off after it was no longer a unique/trendy thing.

IIRC, the FJ cruiser sold about 50k vehicles in its first year of production, but was only about 10k/yr every year after that until it was discontinued. I suspect the sales curve of CT deliveries will take a somewhat similar trajectory.

I owned an FJ for about a year when they were first made available. There was a lot to love about it but a couple of really bad design decisions killed it. First, the blind spot due to the massive C pillar with tiny window. Also, the front seat belt attachment to the rear door made it very tricky to use the rear seat with kids/child seats.

I think the CT has many more design related issues. And that interior. Even budget cars over the last decade or so have improved significantly, CT is a step back in my opinion.. However, an unpredictable fan base is quite the wild-card.

 

[Epicloop]

And that interior. Even budget cars over the last decade or so have improved significantly, CT is a step back in my opinion.

Agreed and what's with a white interior on a truck. I am also not a fan of having the only display out of the line of sight.

 

[Supratachophobia]

The Cybertruck is for those who want to be pointed at and have their picture taken.

While it has some internal advancements that the common buyer doesn’t care for, it’s missing a lot of things buyers do care for….. like interior design.

That will get old quick, figuratively and literally (when the bird poop stains it).

 

[Supratachophobia]

Most of the Tesla fanboys cannot afford it... Most of the non-Tesla fanboy will not buy it. You make the call.

That's always been the case with Tesla though. None of the fanbois could afford an S in the early days and even still many couldn't afford a mid-price 3 when it finally came out.

 

[VSG]

I owned an FJ for about a year when they were first made available. There was a lot to love about it but a couple of really bad design decisions killed it. First, the blind spot due to the massive C pillar with tiny window.

I test drove an FJ when they first came out - I actually got to drive the first one my local dealer received. I was looking to replace my 4Runner. But the massive blind spots and limited visibility was a deal breaker for me because I wanted to be able to use it off road. I never thought the FJ was an "odd" design, but it certainly did not live up to its namesake.

 

[VSG]

They do have the range extender however that takes up a good portion of the bed and it's an extra 16,000.

People keep saying this, but does that range extender actually exist yet? Or is it going to be like the Max Pack - promised but not delivered until many years later?

I personally feel that the range extender was announced just to technically make Elon's range promise sort-of true, but that it's never going to actually be sold. Or if it is sold, it will be years before they can deliver, and then people won't buy it because it's expensive, heavy, and takes up half your bed.

Sponsored