Tesla is
reportedly tapping Finnish stainless steel provider Outokumpu Oyj to supply
some of the panels of the Cybertruck. Outokumpu Oyj is a key producer of
stainless steel in Europe, and it is known for producing steel products for a
variety of sectors, including the automotive industry.
The Cybertruck, which is expected to go into full production
later this year, has drawn attention for its unconventional design and flat
stainless steel panels. The material is more expensive than regular steel, but
it is also stronger and more corrosion-resistant.
Citing
people reportedly familiar with the matter — who opted to remain anonymous
because the contract is reportedly private — Bloomberg News noted that
Tesla may source the Cybertruck’s steel from Outokumpu’s Calvert, Alabama
plant, which is about 650 miles away from Gigafactory Texas. The publication’s
sources also stated that Outokumpu may not be the only supplier being tapped
for the Cybertruck’s steel.
Tesla
CEO Elon Musk has stated that the Cybertruck’s
stainless steel exterior will provide the vehicle with a
lot of durability. But while steel is strong, it is also difficult to work
with. Thus, Tesla’s decision to use steel for the Cybertruck is widely believed
to be one of the reasons behind the all-electric pickup truck’s delays.
Elon Musk said as much, noting that the Cybertruck “was a tough
product to design & even tougher to build” and that the all-electric pickup
truck has brought the company to “uncharted territory, because it (the
Cybertruck) is not like anything else.”
Early
prototypes of the Cybertruck have been spotted in Austin, Texas, and the San
Francisco Bay Area. Other Cybertruck units have also been filmed in countries
such as New Zealand and Iceland. Tesla has stated that it intends to hold
a first delivery event before the end of 2023, though no
specific date has been shared by the company.
When released, the Cybertruck will join a number of other
electric trucks on the market, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, the GMC
Hummer EV, and the Rivian R1T. These all-electric pickup trucks are yet to see
massive production numbers. It should be noted that the Cybertruck could target
a different demographic, however, since the Rivian R1T is more like a lifestyle
truck, the Ford F-150 Lightning is optimized for utility, and the GMC Hummer EV
seems more like a novelty electric pickup truck that’s only produced in limited
numbers.
Considering the popularity of pickup trucks in the United
States, there may very well be more than enough space for the Tesla Cybertruck
and every single one of its peers from young companies like Rivian and veteran
automakers like Ford.
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