Elon Musk warned us.
I shouldve paid attention.
For all of Musks quirks, I didnt expect him to roll out a low-poly PS1-looking batmobile last night.
How is Tesla actually going to sell this to normal people?
Well, probably the same way Apple managed to make AirPods a thing.
But I dont think Tesla is going to get anyone to sell their F150 on the Cybertrucks looks.
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The more I see the Cybertruck, the more I like it.
Im a truck owner myself, but Im not going to pretend to be an expert.
And two, it does so without greatly inconveniencing the user.
If it can do those two things, then whats weird rapidly becomes normal.
Its not hard to find examples either.
The Notes 5.3-inch screen is now positively compared to modern devices.
And then theres Apple.
I could point to a number of designs, but lets talk about the AirPods.
To date, some people still hate how they look.
And yet AirPods both catalyzed the true-wireless trend and remain the most popular product in the category by far.
In the span of three years, AirPods have gone from goofy gadget to borderline fashion statement.
For these and other watershed devices, their functional success was largelybecauseof their odd design.
So what does the Cybertruck bring to the table and what does it ask you to give up?
Based on what we know so far, a whole lot, and potentially not very much.
It includes a heavy-duty integrated tonneau cover and ramp.
Its got better approach and departure angles for off-roading, and up to 16 inches of ground clearance.
And the claimed towing capacity of 14,000 lbs is higher than any current production truck.
And oh yeah, the Cybertruck can go 0-60 in 2.9 seconds too.
Thats supercar-level acceleration, not something you expect out of a bumbling truck.
This is where the design actually serves a purpose: it makes the car cheaper to build.
It could also have aerodynamic benefits, although that remains to be seen.
The design is futuristic, but its also functional andcost-efficient.
I realize a $40K investment in an unproven vehicle isnt the same as buying a pair of AirPods.
Many questions remain about the Cybertruck, ranging from safety, to reliability, to production timing.
I dont expect many traditional truck owners to put in a pre-order.
10 years from now, it might not look so weird after all.
