Smaller Tesla Cybertruck on the way too

A more compact version of the highly-anticipated Tesla cybertruck is reportedly on the way, offering a smaller alternative for those that don’t need a full-size electric pick-up.

Tipped to be around 15-20 per cent smaller than the Cybertruck originally revealed by Tesla boss Elon Musk back in late 2019, the smaller ute will likely be closer in size to Australia’s top-selling dual-cab 4x4 utes such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

According to a report by StreetAnalyst.com citing Tesla analyst Trip Chowdhry, both versions of the Cybertruck will be revealed in a special virtual event in March, and both models will emerge with “significant tweaks” to the original design.

Steel Dynamics will be the sole supplier of Exoskeleton Steel for both versions of the CyberTruck and the company’s location about 100 miles from Tesla’s plant in Texas “gives the companies logistics and working capital advantages”, said the report.

Little is known about the smaller Tesla Cybertruck, including what it will be called – if it eventuates – but Musk previously said a more compact pick-up would make sense for the company.

However, it could be a while away from showrooms – particularly in Australia, where customers could wait until 2023 for delivery of the upgraded MY22 Model S and X revealed last year – given a Reuters report claiming Cybertruck production has been delayed again, this time to around March 2023.

Citing a person familiar with the matter, Reuters reported last Thursday that Tesla now expects to commence limited Cybertruck production at the end of the first quarter of 2023, before ramping up later next year.

The source told Reuters the latest delay for the hotly-anticipated Cybertruck, which was previously expected on sale in 2021, follows upgrades to “features and functions of the electric pickup to make a compelling product as competition heats up in the segment”.

North American customers have already begun taking delivery of the ground-breaking Rivian R1T electric pick-up, while US deliveries of the Ford F-150 Lightning are set to begin by mid-year.

Ford said early this month it will nearly double annual production capacity for its first electric pick-up to 150,000 vehicles, helping the Blue Oval’s market value hit $US100 billion for the first time last Thursday, when Tesla shares fell 6.7 per cent and Rivian slumped 7.1 per cent.

The world’s biggest EV-maker, which had already delayed Cybertruck production from late 2021 to late 2022, recently removed the 2022 reference from its Cybertruck order website, which last month stated “You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022”.

When asked about the Cybertruck in late November, Musk – who previously said he would provide an updated product road map in Tesla’s next earnings call on January 26 – Tweeted: “Oh man, this year has been such a supply chain nightmare & it's not over!”.