Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has been generating buzz on social media by promoting the company’s Cybertruck, a futuristic pickup truck that was first unveiled in 2019. However, the final pricing and specifications for the vehicle have not yet been released. In an email sent to Tesla employees, Musk expressed his concerns about the manufacturing precision required for the Cybertruck, stating that any dimensional variations would be easily noticeable due to its straight edges. He emphasized the need for sub-10 micron accuracy in the design and construction of all parts, and compared it to the precision achieved by companies such as LEGO and soda can manufacturers.
Tesla’s second-quarter financial filing with the SEC revealed that its factory in Austin, Texas, was working on “tooling” for the Cybertruck, but production had not yet begun. While the company has not provided an exact timeline for mass production or delivery, Musk shared a post on social media stating that he had driven a “production candidate” Cybertruck at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas. In response to a request for more information about the vehicle’s specifications, pricing, and delivery date, Musk acknowledged the challenges involved in building the Cybertruck and stated that the company would make the announcements when they were ready.
The leaked email from Musk to Tesla employees provides further insight into the company’s concerns about achieving the necessary precision for the Cybertruck. Musk emphasized the importance of sub-10 micron accuracy and the need for dimensions to be specified in single digit microns. He also mentioned that achieving this level of precision is not easy, but expressed confidence that Tesla can accomplish it. Following these comments, Tesla’s stock dipped slightly. The email reveals that Tesla is still grappling with the quality issues related to the Cybertruck and highlights the company’s commitment to precision in manufacturing.
