With their look of the future and their amazing price (at least on paper) the Cybertrucks are incredibly anticipated pickups. However, since their presentation in 2019, we are still waiting for the start of their industrial production. Production of the dual-motor and tri-motor AWD variants should have started in 2021, but for now, apart from a few prototypes manufactured in small numbers, Tesla has yet to deliver on its promises.
The manufacturer recently updated its schedule, promising to start producing the Cybertrucks sometime in 2023. However, a clue seems to indicate that “this time, it’s good”: Tesla has indeed just acknowledged receipt of a slew of robotic arms at its Gigafactory Texas factory which should produce the futuristic pickups. In all, 66 Kuka robotic arms have been delivered to Tesla. A number that is both important, suggesting that something new is brewing.
Cybertruck: everything indicates that the start of production is imminent
But also modest for the launch of a brand new production line. The factory already uses Kuka and FUNAC robotic arms to produce Model Ys. But the firm has recently made production optimizations to reduce the number of arms needed. According to Electrek, it is therefore likely that Tesla will reassign part of the robotic arms from the other production line to that of the Cybertruck.
Electrek notes in any case that the timing of this delivery corresponds perfectly to the latest production schedule unveiled by the manufacturer. Especially since Tesla was also seen installing equipment related to the production of the model in the Gigafactory Texas. It is noted that further delays and postponements remain possible at this stage. For the time being, Tesla is mainly focusing on deliveries of Model Y, which is a real commercial success.
The manufacturer will not start the Cybertruck production line until a certain production volume is reached for the Model Y – at the risk of spreading too much and disrupting production. Tesla recently announced that the Gigafactory Texas has reached the symbolic threshold of 3,000 vehicles produced per week. A figure still significantly lower than the manufacturer’s objective of producing 5,000 vehicles per week in this plant.
This last clue seems in any case to reinforce the idea that the production of the first Cybertrucks will begin in the first months, or the second half of 2023. Beyond its singular look, the Cybertruck is a real challenge for the manufacturer. Pickups continue to be popular, especially in North America. Ford, for example, sells its F-150 Lightning at a particularly high rate.
