Tesla Cybertruck production starts

Tesla has produced its first Cybertruck pick-up truck (aka ute).

A photo of Texas GigaFactory staff celebrating was posted on Tesla’s Twitter account with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk sharing the post.

The Cybertruck had its first global reveal in late 2019 but production had been delayed for various reasons, many relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two Cybertrucks – reportedly left-hand drive – were among a Tesla fleet seen recently at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds near Queenstown, the winter testing closely followed by CybertruckNZ on Twitter.

Musk earlier indicated Cybertruck production would start later this year and that a “delivery event” was planned.

A few changes have been made to the Cybertruck production model, including more pronounced bumpers, while about 1.5 million orders have been received for it.

Cybertruck mass production is likely to start next year, according to Musk, and it’s yet unknown if or when the Cybertruck will become available in right-hand drive markets such as New Zealand and Australia.