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Tesla Cybertruck reservation holder publishes children’s book about the ‘Ugly Truckling’

Published

1 year ago

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Long-time Tesla customer Diego Martinez published a children’s book about the Cybertruck titled The Ugly Truckling: The Story of My Cybertruck.

Before Christmas, Martinez talked with Teslarati about his new book, The Ugly Truckling. He specifically spoke about his inspiration for the children’s book and why it was so important to publish it. 

“The Ugly Truckling: The Story of my Cybertruck is about integrity. It’s about being who you are and having the guts to act on what you observe. If everyone did that, the world would be a better place. We all just need to keep working towards the future. We have a bright, beautiful future here on Earth. It’s been a joy to get this book into people’s hands, both Cybertruck fans and haters,” he told Teslarati. 

For Martinez, The Ugly Truckling is a book for any age. He emphasized that the book allows adults to see the Cybertruck through a child’s eyes. 

Car design legend dubs Tesla Cybertruck as “Picasso of automobiles”

When it was unveiled a few years ago, the Tesla Cybertruck drew all kinds of attention—and not all of it was good. Many criticized the design of the Cybertruck and still do to this day. But not many of those critics are children. Like with many things in life, society often forgets to consider the opinions of children. Martinez’s The Ugly Truckling delves into the thoughts a child would have about the Cybertruck. 

“I feel this book is special in that it gets you to see this incredible truck through the eyes of a child, so it’s great to introduce this book around Christmas time. We get to see how it changes and makes the main character see the world a little bit differently. I’m so happy when people read this story. lt’s like I have a part in changing the world a little bit,” commented Martinez.

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Martinez is no stranger to Tesla and the company’s work to bring electric cars into the mainstream car market. He was reservation holder #580 for the Tesla Model S after an email from Elon Musk about Project White Star. Years later, he reserved the Cybertruck on the first day it was available. 

Martinez is also no stranger to children since he is an award-winning public school educator in southern Colorado. He understands how children absorb knowledge and how they perceive the world. As a teacher, Martinez is on a quest to contribute to a modern education system emphasizing proficiency-based learning. 

In a sense, Martinez brought two of his greatest interests—electric cars and education—together in The Ugly Truckling, hoping it would bring more joy, love, and understanding into the world. 

Speaking about people’s reactions to his book, Martinez said: 

“There is a little less hate in the world. There’s more understanding and more love. I’ve heard haters say, ‘I’m starting to like the Cybertruck,’ that brings me joy. When people see the Cybertruck, they quickly judge despite such little knowledge. They don’t know what it took to bring this idea to life. I think of it like Tesla is bringing a child or a little baby into the world. There are a lot of similarities to the story of Christmas, in the initial skepticisim and ridicule when your’e new to the world. Welcome to Earth little truckling. It’s a cold world, but you’ll shine bright.” 

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Diego Martinez’s The Ugly Truckling: The Story of My Cybertruck is available on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. Elon Musk received his copies of the book in early December 2023.

The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via X @Writer_01001101.

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Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Lifestyle

Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 6, 2025

By

Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Lifestyle

Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

2 months ago

on

January 31, 2025

By

Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Lifestyle

Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 months ago

on

January 14, 2025

By

Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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