Purchased a Tesla Cybertruck for 21 million rubles in Moscow, sharing unexpected findings
Revised Article:
A Goliath Among Autos: Tesla's Cybertruck! Over 5 meters long, 2.2 meters wide.
Images courtesy of Nikolai MYSIN.
The hype surrounding this beast has been building since its 2019 debut, with years of speculation, production delays, and eventual deliveries starting in 2024. Despite the wait, over 2 million pre-orders for the Tesla Cybertruck, as boasted by its founder, Elon Musk!
"This vehicle is something special," a whisper in my mind echoed, reminiscent of Veronika in "The Office Romance." The thought encouraged me to investigate local offers from dealers.
Scanning the listings, I found an intriguing prospect - if I sold my apartment, car, garage, and dacha, I wouldn't require substantial loans from friends! Given the opportunity to purchase locally, it seemed worth a closer look.
PoliticsA Maid Ruled Village for Five Years, A Driver Controlled District: The End of the Political Cinderella StoryPolitics
Out of the more than a dozen listings for "Cybertrucks" in Moscow (with two others scattered across the country, from Belgorod to Ulyanovsk), the most affordable option was priced at 21.5 million rubles.
The typical average price for the 600-horsepower version ranges between 23-26 million. The top-tier "Cyberbeast," sporting 845 horsepower, carries a hefty price tag of 27-30 million. These figures are for in-stock models; listings marked "Vehicle in Transit" are likely waiting for order fulfillment at a local lot and will ship upon payment. Keep in mind that prices may rise during transportation.
- Our final price is 21.5 million, including VAT. We have the electronic passport and safety certificate. All additional expenses, including customs duties and recycling fees, are included...
Our encounter with the truck began inside an underground parking lot of a high-end residential complex in the heart of Moscow, where a small cluster of luxury vehicles - Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes, Bentleys - shared space with my potential new Cybertruck.
I couldn't decide between the pulse-racing Cyberbeast, priced at 28.5 million rubles, or the seemingly more modest "Cybertruck" option.
Images courtesy of Nikolai MYSIN.
First Impressions of the Truck: It's Massive! Even aligned next to a Cadillac Escalade, the Cybertruck doesn't get overshadowed in terms of size. As a genuine truck, Tesla's pickup is nothing short of impressive, measuring nearly 6 meters in length and 2.2 meters in width.
"It's a truck by documents," explains the sales manager, Savva. "That's why I had to shell out 819,000 rubles for vehicle tax (instead of 33,400 for electric cars under 2024 tariffs. - Ed.). And you can only drive it with a C category license."
Acquiring the truck isn't easy, but it's possible, Savva assures me. Another dealership manager offered insights, stating that while it may require some effort, the benefits (like free parking and lower taxes) make it worth it.
JUDGING BY THE COVER
The vehicle is grandiose and futuristic, with its design stealing the show. In truth, that's what made such a stir ever since the model was first revealed. While the idea of the Cybertruck as the first electric pickup has faded from memory for some, the design continues to captivate.
Some find it vibrant and stylish, while others might quip, "I drew 'vroom-vrooms' like that as a kid!" On paper, the Cybertruck appears like a toy from retro computer games. In reality, the impression is different.
Creators intentionally avoided round lines. They could have even devised square wheels here - they probably would have! Even the cup holders inside the cabin exhibit a monothetic, angular design. Another unique feature of Tesla's pickup is its body, constructed from sheets of stainless steel. Hence, there's no color choice - only "stainless" is available. Musk saved $200 million by eliminating the paint shop, and the sheets are 1-2 mm thick - tough, reliable, and safe, withstanding bullets, according to the manufacturer.
The interior adopts a minimalist approach, and everything is in English, with no Russian language options available.
Images courtesy of Nikolai Mysin.
Concerns regarding the armored glass were addressed following the truck's presentation, where it failed to withstand a metal ball strike. Musk vowed to address the issue, though I opted not to test the glass during my visit. Instead, I inspected the interior. Minimalism reigned supreme! Compared to other manufacturers who cram control functions into multimedia screens, here, climate control, stereo settings, and even transmission control are handled through the screen. Moreover, the menu is strictly in English, and altering it isn't an option.
Steering wheel buttons are also absent; turn signals and high beams are activated by buttons on the wheel. However, the cabin is spacious, offering ample room for passengers, even in the back, equipped with a 9.4-inch multimedia screen. The cargo bed is concealed by a sliding roof, offering ample storage, albeit significantly reduced in my case due to a set of winter tires.
"Had to buy them to obtain the vehicle's necessary certifications," Savva explains. "The native American tires don't meet our certificates."
Unfortunately, I couldn't test drive the truck. But even without a spin, it's clear - the car offers a lively drive. Acceleration to 100 km/h clocks in at a swift 4.5 seconds!
P.S. Exiting the parking lot, I turned to take one last look at the Cybertruck. The design, while unconventional, seemed to have a certain charm. But, the vehicle's body, marked with its unique serial number, gave me pause. Better to save the $21.5 million and find another use for it, I thought.
INCIDENTALLY
Tesla's Cybertruck: A Commercial Disappointment
Initially, Tesla anticipated selling 240,000 Cybertruck pickups, but only around 40,000 found buyers. This lack of demand came despite Tesla selling nearly 1.8 million vehicles in total. This year, sales have slowed even further. Possible reasons contributing to this slump include public mockery of its design, questionable consumer features, and, most significantly, its price. The Cybertruck, priced at $80,000 in the United States (or 8.3 million rubles at the current exchange rate), proves too expensive for the typical pickup buyer.
Even in the United States, this isn't a vehicle for everyone. Certainly not for blue-collar workers who juggle careers on construction sites and weekends with their families. The Cybertruck may have made a splash, but it seems to have missed its intended audience.
"It's a weekend car," admits Savva. "No one will buy it for work. Drive it to a fancy event, show it off to friends, then put it back in the garage - sure. But potential owners won't use it to haul cargo. Musk made a killing on the hype, but now everyone realizes this car is impractical. That's why sales have stalled."
How many have been sold in Russia?
"We were among the first to bring them in. Around 15 have been sold so far. More will be sold. Every product finds its buyer, as Erasmus of Rotterdam said," quips Savva. "But we're not planning new shipments. Only on pre-order."
THE WORST OF THE WORST
TOP 5 WORST-CAR FAILURES IN HISTORY
Ambitious projects that brought their creators nothing but losses, and sometimes even bankruptcy.
FORD EDSEL
Years produced: 1958-1960
Ford Edsel
Images courtesy of GLOBAL LOOK PRESS
This wasn't just a model, but a separate brand within the Ford empire, named after Henry Ford's son, Edsel. It was marketed as a premium product, but its controversial design was met with strong public disapproval. Production was stopped just two years after launch. Estimated losses are around $300 million, or over $1.2 billion in today's money!
DELOREAN DMC-12
Years produced: 1968-1982
This futuristic sports coupe stood out not only with its upward-opening "gull-wing" doors but also with its body made of stainless steel sheets, like the Tesla Cybertruck. The Delorean became iconic thanks to the "Back to the Future" trilogy, but in reality, the car was a flop due to questionable build quality, poor consumer characteristics, and a high price. Only a few thousand units were sold in six years, and the Delorean company subsequently went bankrupt.
PONTIAC AZTEC
YEARS OF PRODUCTION: 2000-2005
PONTIAC AZTEC
Images courtesy of ru.wikipedia.org
Many rankings consider this the ugliest car in history. The company that owns the Pontiac brand, General Motors, tried to enter the growing crossover market but failed, mainly due to its design. However, like the Delorean DMC-12, the Aztec became a cult classic due to its unique appearance in the TV series "Breaking Bad," where the main character, Walter White, drives it, emphasizing his low socioeconomic status at the beginning of the story.
CHEVROLET SSR
YEARS OF PRODUCTION: 2003-2006
CHEVROLET SSR
Images courtesy of shutterstock
In the early 2000s, the release of the Chrysler PT Cruiser seemed to set a trend for retro styling. Chevrolet attempted to capitalize on the success of its competitors by releasing the SSR (Super Sport Roadster). However, the attempt fell flat, mainly due to its high price (around $80,000 in today's currency) and impracticality. Only 23,500 units were sold.
TESLA CYBERTRUCK
YEARS OF PRODUCTION: 2023-PRESENT
TESLA CYBERTRUCK
Images courtesy of GLOBAL LOOK PRESS
The "Cybertruck" is already being called the most failed car in history. It's a mix of all possible reasons: high price, controversial design, reliability issues, and poor practicality. In many countries, the car is banned from sale due to pedestrian safety concerns (thanks to its square and angular design). Arson incidents, presumably fueled by those who dislike Elon Musk, also impact the model's popularity in the United States.
ALSO LISTEN TO:
Can Chinese tires be trusted? Which tires to choose this season
Sources:1. https://www.golos-ameriki.ru/a/tesla-carmakers-post-soviet-ebay/31225658.html2. https://www.schaftaus.de/wirtschaft/autos/2023-tesla-cybertruck-reaktion-nicht-serialenumber/28195467.html3. https://www.autonews.com/international-news/tesla-scheme-opened-2-new-russian-service-centers-and-is-looking-more4. https://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/cybertruck/2023-tesla-cybertruck/
- Initial sales projections for the Tesla Cybertruck suggested the sale of 240,000 units, but only around 40,000 were bought.
- The Tesla Cybertruck, priced at $80,000 in the United States, is deemed too expensive for the typical pickup buyer.
- Despite the wait for its delivery, Tesla boasted over 2 million pre-orders for the Cybertruck.
- The Tesla Cybertruck offers unique features such as body construction from stainless steel sheets and minimal interior design with an English language menu, steering wheel buttons absent, and all controls handled through a screen.
- Concerns regarding the armored glass were addressed following the truck's presentation, where it failed to withstand a metal ball strike.
- Dealer managers suggest that while acquiring the Cybertruck may require effort, the benefits like free parking and lower taxes make it worth the investment.
- The sloppy and unconventional design of the Cybertruck has been met with public mockery, deterring potential customers.
