News
Tesla’s Cybertruck does not need traditional ‘truck people’s’ support to succeed
The Tesla Cybertruck is not a vehicle that could be appreciated by everyone. Uncompromisingly futuristic and angular to a fault, the vehicle looks less like a traditional pickup compared to other all-electric trucks like the Rivian R1T. Thanks to its polarizing looks, Tesla critics have predicted that the Cybertruck would be a flop, since the vehicle would not appeal to traditional “truck people,” who have preconceived notions about what a pickup should look like.
To be fair, the Cybertruck has received harsh criticism from a good number of classic pickup truck enthusiasts. Yet, despite this, the idea that the all-electric truck would fail because it would not appeal to a “typical Ford F-150 buyer” will likely be proven wrong. In fact, if one were to look at the history of Tesla’s vehicles, particularly the Model 3, one would note that the electric car maker’s cars do not really need the support of an existing demographic to be a success.
Tesla made a rather strange decision when it decided to start the Model 3’s rollout on the United States. During that time, some of the company’s critics pointed to the alleged folly of this strategy, particularly as the US’ luxury sedan market was in a steep decline. Yet, when Tesla hit its stride with Model 3 production, this bearish thesis was proven wrong. American car buyers bought the electric sedan, ending 2018 as the best-selling luxury car on the market with over 145,000 units sold.
Tesla’s later discussions on Model 3 trends featured interesting insights about the vehicle and why it continued to buck the trend by thriving despite the decline in the US’ sedan sales. As it turned out, the Model 3 did not just convert existing luxury car buyers when it was released — it actually inspired a new type of electric car buyer. What are these customers? They were people who have never considered buying a premium vehicle before.
This is why some of the top vehicles traded in for the Model 3 include more affordable vehicles like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord. By offering the best tech and safety at a price point that’s justified by a significantly lower total cost of ownership, Tesla ended up encouraging customers to acquire the Model 3, even if they have to make a stretch to do so. By doing this, the Model 3 was essentially able to create a market for itself. The same could happen to the Cybertruck.
Thus, while it is true that the Cybertruck may never convert die-hard “truck people” who are loyal to veteran brands, the vehicle may also easily attract buyers who were previously not in the market for a pickup truck at all. This is already hinted at by some reservation holders who have shared their insights online, with some admitting that they are not “truck people” at all, but they are attracted to the Cybertruck’s cost and features nonetheless. Starting at $39,990, the Cybertruck is only a bit more expensive than the Standard Range Plus Model 3, which is a sedan.
The Tesla Cybertruck is still more expensive than entry-level pickups on the market, but it is priced very competitively against full-sized, double-cab pickups from rival carmakers. The vehicle is also loaded to the teeth with standard features that would otherwise require an aftermarket modification, such as its motorized tonneau cover. Couple this with a lower cost of ownership compared to massive fuel and maintenance costs incurred by conventional gas-guzzlers like the Ford F-150 and the Cybertruck becomes a very attractive vehicle, pickup veterans and otherwise.
-->H/T u/Dandan0005/Reddit
News
Tesla’s new Holiday perk is timed perfectly to make FSD a household name
Tesla AI4 owners get FSD (Supervised) through Christmas, New Year’s Eve and well into the post-holiday travel season.
Tesla quietly rolled out a free Full Self-Driving (Supervised) trial for roughly 1.5 million HW4 owners in North America who never bought the package, and the timing could very well be genius.
As it turns out, the trial doesn’t end after 30 days. Instead, it expires January 8, 2026, meaning owners get FSD (Supervised) through Christmas, New Year’s Eve and well into the post-holiday travel season. This extended window positions the feature for maximum word-of-mouth exposure.
A clever holiday gift
Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt first spotted the detail after multiple owners shared screenshots showing the trial expiring on January 8. He confirmed with affected users that none had active FSD subscriptions before the rollout. He also observed that Tesla never called the promotion a “30-day trial,” as the in-car message simply reads “You’re Getting FSD (Supervised) For the Holidays,” which technically runs until after the new year.
The roughly 40-day period covers peak family travel and gatherings, giving owners ample opportunity to showcase the latest FSD V14’s capabilities on highway trips, crowded parking lots and neighborhood drives. With relatives riding along, hands-off highway driving and automatic lane changes could become instant conversation starters.
Rave reviews for FSD V14 highlight demo potential
FSD has been receiving positive reviews from users as of late. Following the release of FSD v14.2.1, numerous owners praised the update for its smoothness and reliability. Tesla owner @LactoseLunatic called it a “huge leap forward from version 14.1.4,” praising extreme smoothness, snappy lane changes and assertive yet safe behavior that allows relaxed monitoring.
-->Another Tesla owner, @DevinOlsenn, drove 600 km without disengagements, noting his wife now defaults to FSD for daily use due to its refined feel. Sawyer Merritt also tested FSD V14.2.1 in snow on unplowed New Hampshire roads, and the system stayed extra cautious without hesitation. Longtime FSD tester Chuck Cook highlighted improved sign recognition in school zones, showing better dynamic awareness. These reports of fewer interventions and a more “sentient” drive could turn family passengers into advocates, fueling subscriptions come January.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics could make work “optional” within 20 years
Speaking on entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk predicted that machines will soon handle most forms of labor, leaving humans to work only if they choose to.
Elon Musk stated that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics could make traditional work unnecessary within two decades.
Speaking on entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk predicted that machines will soon handle most forms of labor, leaving humans to work only if they choose to.
Work as a “hobby”
During the discussion, Musk said the accelerating capability of AI systems and general-purpose robots will eventually cover all essential tasks, making human labor a choice rather than an economic requirement. “In less than 20 years, working will be optional. Working at all will be optional. Like a hobby,” Musk said.
When Kamath asked whether this future is driven by massive productivity growth, Musk agreed, noting that people will still be free to work if they enjoy the routine or the challenge. He compared future employment to home gardening, as it is something people can still do for personal satisfaction even if buying food from a store is far easier.
“Optional” work in the future
Elon Musk acknowledged the boldness of his claim and joked that people might look back in 20 years and say he was wrong. That being said, the CEO noted that such a scenario could even happen sooner than his prediction, at least if one were to consider the pace of the advancements in AI and robotics.
-->“Obviously people can play this back in 20 years and say, ‘Look, Elon made this ridiculous prediction and it’s not true,’ but I think it will turn out to be true, that in less than 20 years, maybe even as little as ten or 15 years, the advancements in AI and robotics will bring us to the point where working is optional,” Musk said.
Elon Musk’s comments echo his previous sentiments at Tesla’s 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, where he noted that Optimus could ultimately eliminate poverty. He also noted that robots like Optimus could eventually provide people worldwide with the best medical care.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk reiterates why Tesla will never make an electric motorcycle
Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk preemptively shut down speculations about a Tesla road bike once more, highlighting that the electric vehicle maker has no plans to enter the electric motorcycle market.
Musk posted his clarification in a post on X.
Musk’s reply to a fun AI video
X user @Moandbhr posted an AI video featuring the Tesla CEO on the social media platform, captioning it with “Mr. Elon Musk Just Revealed the Game-Changing Tesla Motorcycle.” The short clip depicted Musk approaching a sleek, single-wheeled vehicle, stepping onto it, and gliding off into the distance amid cheers. The fun video received a lot of traction on X, gaining 3.1 million views as of writing.
Musk replied to the post, stating that a Tesla motorcycle is not going to happen. “Never happening, as we can’t make motorcycles safe. For Community Notes, my near death experience was on a road bike. Dirt bikes are safe if you ride carefully, as you can’t be smashed by a truck,” Musk wrote in his reply.
Musk’s Past Comments on Two-Wheelers
Musk also detailed his reservations about motorcycles in a December 2019 X post while responding to questions about Tesla’s potential ATV. At the time, he responded positively to an electric ATV, though he also opposed the idea of a Tesla road-going motorcycle. Musk did state that electric dirt bikes might be cool, since they do not operate in areas where large vehicles like Class 8 trucks are present.
-->“Electric dirt bikes would be cool too. We won’t do road bikes, as too dangerous. I was hit by a truck & almost died on one when I was 17,” Musk wrote in his post.
Considering Musk’s comments about dirt bikes, however, perhaps Tesla would eventually offer a road bike as a recreational vehicle. Such a two-wheeler would be a good fit for the Cybertruck, as well as future products like the Robovan, which could be converted into an RV.
Tesla’s new Holiday perk is timed perfectly to make FSD a household name
Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics could make work “optional” within 20 years
