Tesla Cybertruck reservations hit 146,000

Then comes this angular abomination, a ballooned version of the robotaxis in Total Recall, and fits absolutely nowhere in this truck buyer's mindset.

You can take the perspective of blaming the truck buyer for being dumb, or lame, or not visionary enough, but that's not a reasonable or productive perspective.

As far as I can tell, this truck may appeal to people who are in the market for a Hummer-type extreme vehicle, hardcore tech futurists, Tesla fanboys, and people who don't give a shit and are willing to try whatever. None of these categories IMO represent today's truck buyer.

Disclaimer: I'm a tech futurist who doesn't give a shit, and I want one.

Edit: misspelling.

I don't think this is a binary choice. It's possible to both dislike current GM designs, AND dislike Tesla's cybertruck design.

The Cybertruck appears to have been pulled directly out of a cyberpunk novel entirely formed, it does look more like a movie prop than a real vehicle.

My initial response to the design was shock and laughter that it was actually a real product. The choice of materials appears to have been a response to the trend of Tesla's getting keyed - I can imagine someone in the design meeting saying "Try keying this, motherfucker". After seeing the ATV option I asked when they're releasing the light-cycles.

I have to wonder how much the design was tested for human factors and against typical truck workloads before it was released. Tesla seem to have taken some numbers on range, towing capacity and cargo and then decided to beat them all, but without considering what else makes a truck useful.

The sloped angular back makes me wonder what it's going to be like trying to get access to anything that's stored near the back.

There's apparently built-in L-track rails on the inside of the bed, but no outside fittings, which might make it more difficult to secure coverings over any loads.

The tail gate looks like it's stupidly heavy, partly because of the rolled steel but also because of the built-in ramp. The latches don't appear to be sturdy enough to ensure any payload remains secure, either.

The 'roller shutter' cover, while looking neat looks like it'll be an early failure point with dirt and grit getting into the tracks, jamming up the works. Also, any issues with alignment (eg if a load shifts) are going to make it a pain to repair.

All the sharp corners make me wonder how often you're going to curse the designers every time you whack your arm or knee against them, and if you use it as more than something to pick up the kids from soccer in, how long until they get dented. Yes, I saw the sledgehammer trick, but that was against a panel where it had the option to flex. I dare them to try it against the open back of the tail-gate - the kind of damage you might get putting whitegoods or pallet of bricks/tiles in the back.

Speaking of sharp corners: Tesla has a (historical?) problem with tolerances on their fit and finish - I notice the doors and trailers all have a bunch of sharp corners meeting, where those things will become very visible.

(I do hate that there is no dashboard)

You don't see a lot of manufacturers wasting weight on very robust body panels--in fact, quite the opposite, preferring aluminum or carbon fiber for panels, hood, and roof when practical.