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Here’s why Tesla’s pickup will transform the heavy-duty truck segment
Following the announcement that Tesla had its sights set on entering the utility truck market with its own version of a pickup truck comes new speculative design features for what a battery-powered and engine-less truck may bring to this new segment.
The folks from Truck Trend have put together in our opinion one of the best renditions of what a Tesla pickup truck may look like. Body lines: sleek. Feature sets: aplenty. Utility: you bet.
In true Tesla fashion, the company’s upcoming foray into the heavy-duty truck market will likely arrive with a compelling list of key differentiators from rival, and arguably traditional, give me a big V8 up front – the bigger the better, truck manufacturers. This won’t be your “good ol’ boys” truck. Rather, the Tesla brand has fashioned itself as being one that carries prestige and a cool factor that people, and the “mass market”, want to be associated with. In other words, Tesla is cool and you can bet your bottom dollar that having a pedigree in NASCAR and dirt bikes won’t be a prerequisite for owning a Tesla pickup truck.
Here’s a list of innovative features for Tesla’s “Model U” (for utility) as envisioned by Truck Trend.
It’s all about the “Frunk”
Tesla owners love their storage space especially the one up front. No engine equals more space to stow groceries, strollers, and – well – stuff. Popping open the frunk won’t be anything short of an Apple unboxing event.
A beautiful and innovative wet/dry storage caddy with drain plug blends seamlessly into a modern looking “engine bay” except there’s no engine. This is what modern day utility will look like. Tesla logo: check. Multiple USB ports and a 120V outlet: double check.
There will be room for extending the use of the frunk through Tesla’s own drop-in accessories that will – you guessed it – be conveniently made available through the company’s online store. Referral program 10.0 will award Tesla pickup truck owners with portable batteries, refrigeration cabinets and organization caddies.
What about the “flatbed”?
Rest assured Tesla’s pickup won’t have any ordinary bed. With the ability to electronically adjust ride-height similar to what’s currently available on the Model S and Model X, Tesla’s truck can lower itself to a position that enables roll-on equipment. An extension in the rear lift gate will create a makeshift ramp allowing bulky items and powersports vehicles to be rolled into the bed.
Truck Trend envisions the Model U to come equipped with a built-in air compressor inside the bed that can be used for running air tools, blowing off dusty bikes or ATVs, or filling up tires.
Source: Truck Trend via Kris Horton
Power and Range
Having four-wheel drive through Tesla’s dual-motor unit is almost a given. Standard, not optional. Power will be abundant. After all, being able to meet Class 3 or even Class 4 towing standards means the electric truck will be capable of hauling up to 14,000 lbs (6350 kg.). That means a big battery pack.
By the time a Tesla pickup truck hits market and the Gigafactory is in full stride, battery pack capacity will likely be upwards of 120 kWh and as high as 160 kWh per pack. The ability to have an add-on battery to further extend power and range isn’t out of the question as we outlined as one possible solution for tackling the Tesla ‘Semi’ conundrum.
A 200 kWh or even 300 kWh pack? Don’t laugh. It isn’t that far-fetched.
What else?
Tesla’s Master Plan – the sequel – envisions a world of sustainable energy generation and accompanying battery-enabled storage solutions. The inevitable Tesla-SolarCity merger will see to it that this isn’t just a vision but a plan the company intends to execute on.
So what does this mean for its upcoming pickup truck? Imagine a battery pack add-on that can double as an extended range unit, but also serve as a home or even small-business power solution. A robot-like device akin to Tesla’s “snakebot” would detach the additional battery pack and slide it from the truck’s bed floor rail system. The battery would then be mounted onto the wall of a garage where it would be charged by a Tesla Energy solar system.
The possibilities are seemingly endless for a Tesla pickup truck. Ideas that may otherwise sound grandiose in nature won’t stop the runaway freight train – that is Tesla – from uprooting and transforming the trucking industry as we know it.
Bring it on.
Photo credit: Truck Trend via Kris Horton
Elon Musk appeared on the Moonshots podcast with Peter Diamandis today to discuss AGI, U.S. vs. China, Tesla, and some other interesting topics, but there was some discussion about the upcoming unveiling of the Roadster, the company’s electric supercar that will arrive several years after it was initially slated for release.
Musk made some pretty amazing claims about the Roadster; we already know it is supposed to be lightning-fast and could even hover, if Tesla gets everything to happen the way it wants to. However, the car has some pretty crazy capabilities, some of which have not even been revealed.
On the podcast, Musk said:
“This is not a…safety is not the main goal. If you buy a Ferrari, safety is not the number one goal. I say, if safety is your number one goal, do not buy the Roadster…We’ll aspire not to kill anyone in this car. It’ll be the best of the last of the human-driven cars. The best of the last.”
🚨 Elon on the Roadster unveiling, scheduled for April 1:
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 6, 2026
Musk makes a good point: people who buy expensive sports cars with ridiculous top speeds and acceleration rates do not buy them to be safe. They hope they are safe in case of an emergency or crash, but safety is not at the forefront of their thoughts, because nobody buys a car thinking they’ll crash it.
The Roadster is truly going to push the limits and capabilities of passenger vehicles; there’s no doubt about that. Tesla plans to show off the new version car for the first time on April 1, and Musk has only hinted at what is possible with it.
Musk said back in November:
“Whether it’s good or bad, it will be unforgettable. My friend Peter Thiel once reflected that the future was supposed to have flying cars, but we don’t have flying cars. I think if Peter wants a flying car, he should be able to buy one…I think it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveiling ever. [It will be unveiled] hopefully before the end of the year. You know, we need to make sure that it works. This is some crazy technology in this car. Let’s just put it this way: if you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
Production is set to begin between 12 and 18 months after the unveiling, which would put the car out sometime in 2027. Hopefully, Tesla is able to stay on track with the scheduling of the Roadster; many people have been waiting a long time for it.
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Tesla launches hiring for Robotaxi program in its twentieth country
Overall, the hiring signals Tesla’s aggressive timeline for global dominance in autonomous mobility.
Tesla has launched a hiring initiative for its Robotaxi program in its twentieth country, as the company posted two new jobs in Thailand this week.
Tesla is hiring in Bangkok and Kowloon for the Vehicle Operator position, which is related to data collection, and is the first in Thailand, but the twentieth country overall, as the company tries to expand into other markets.
🚨 BREAKING: Tesla is hiring additional full-time Vehicle Operators in Bangkok, Thailand.
Previous openings were 6-month, part-time roles. These are equivalent to AI Safety Operator roles in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/R6LzoU1bos— Tesla Yoda (@teslayoda) January 5, 2026
Tesla has had active job postings for Vehicle Operator positions in the United States, India, Israel, Taiwan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the UK, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Norway, Italy, and Turkey in past listings.
These postings are not all currently available, likely because the roles have been filled.
Thailand is the most recent, and broadens the company’s potential path to expanding its ride-hailing program, which is only active in the United States in Austin, Texas, and the California Bay Area, so far.
These roles typically involve data collection, which assists in improving Autopilot and Full Self-Driving operation. Tesla’s self-driving programs utilize real-world data that is accumulated and stored, observing vehicle and traffic behavior, as well as tendencies that are performed by human drivers to help increase safety and overall performance.
Overall, the hiring signals Tesla’s aggressive timeline for global dominance in autonomous mobility. Although the company has several high-profile rivals and competitors in the field, it has established itself as a main player and a leader in the development of autonomous technology, especially in the U.S., as its FSD suite is refined on almost a weekly basis.
The Full Self-Driving suite is available in seven countries and territories currently, including the U.S., Canada, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia, and New Zealand. Its biggest goal for expansion is currently the European market, where regulatory hurdles have been the main bottleneck prolonging its launch on the continent.
Tesla has performed months of testing in various European countries, including France and Spain, and does have support in some areas from various regulatory agencies. However, the company is hoping to get through this red tape and offer its suite in Europe for the first time, hopefully this year.
News
Tesla China rolls out Model Y upgrades, launches low-interest financing
These strategies are aimed at improving the ownership experience and keeping vehicle pricing competitive in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
Tesla has rolled out minor updates to the five-seat Model Y in China, upgrading the vehicle’s center display to a higher-resolution 16-inch 2K screen. The electric vehicle maker also introduced attractive financing options, including 7-year low-interest rates, to offset the new purchase tax on EVs.
These strategies are aimed at improving the ownership experience and keeping vehicle pricing competitive in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
Five-seat Model Y gets larger, better display
With its recent update, all three variants of the five-seat Model Y now feature an upgraded 16-inch 2K resolution center display, which replaces the vehicle’s previous 15.4-inch 1080p panel. This screen was already used in the six-seat Model Y L, and it offered improved visual clarity. Tesla China has also updated the Model Y’s headliner to black, giving the vehicle a sleeker appearance.
Prices of the five-seat Model Y remain unchanged at RMB 263,500, RMB 288,500, and RMB 313,500 for the respective trims. This update enhances the cabin experience as domestic rivals are already adopting high-resolution screens. As noted in a CNEV Post report, some domestic automakers have begun rolling out vehicles equipped with 3K-resolution displays.
New financing offers
Tesla also launched ultra-long-term financing offers for its locally produced models in China, which include the Model 3 sedan, the five-seat Model Y, and the six-seat Model Y L, through January 31, 2026. The 7-year option features an annualized fee rate as low as 0.5%, which is equivalent to 0.98% interest. This is expected to save customers up to RMB 33,479 ($4,790) compared to standard rates.
A 5-year zero-interest plan is also available, and it has been extended to the Tesla Model Y L for the first time. These incentives help offset China’s new 5% purchase tax on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in 2026-2027. Some of Tesla’s rivals in China have announced in recent months that they would be covering the purchase tax owed by buyers early this year.
Elon Musk just said some crazy stuff about the Tesla Roadster
Tesla launches hiring for Robotaxi program in its twentieth country
