Production Challenges Ahead of 'Cybertruck' Launch... "Tesla Has Dug Its Own Grave"

Restoration Difficult Even When Scratches Occur Due to Stainless Steel Material

American electric vehicle company Tesla will hold an event on the 30th (local time) to deliver its pickup truck, the 'Cybertruck,' to customers for the first time. However, reports indicate that Tesla is still struggling due to the complex production system of the Cybertruck.

On the 28th (local time), Bloomberg News and the U.S. daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published articles explaining various issues Tesla has encountered during the Cybertruck production process. In particular, Bloomberg described the Cybertruck as "already a production nightmare for Tesla."

Stainless Steel Material and 4680 Battery... Tesla's Challenges to Overcome

Tesla electric pickup truck 'Cybertruck' image. [Image source=Tesla official website]

The biggest challenge is the use of stainless steel for the body. Stainless steel is sturdy and corrosion-resistant, enhancing the durability of the vehicle. Elon Musk is known to have a strong attachment to this material, stating that he plans to use stainless steel for the Starship spacecraft of SpaceX, the space company he founded.

Tesla has also developed ultra-lightweight alloys to reduce the weight of stainless steel, which is heavier than typical materials. However, the high strength still requires significant time and cost for welding and other processes. Experts explain that making the body thick enough to be fully bulletproof increases the difficulty of forming and assembly even further.

Mass production of the '4680' battery installed in the Cybertruck is another challenge Tesla must overcome. This battery, developed directly by Tesla, has the advantage of increasing the electric vehicle's driving range by more than 16% compared to existing batteries, but Tesla is still struggling to scale up production. This is considered a factor hindering Tesla's mass production of both the Cybertruck and the electric semi-truck 'Semi.'

"Repairs May Also Be Difficult," Experts Point Out

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

WSJ also reported that once the vehicle starts driving on the road, it will face difficulties in repairs. Although the hard material and thickness of stainless steel may be more resistant to dents and scratches, once even a small scratch occurs, restoration becomes much more difficult.

About 40 years ago, the 'DeLorean Motor' released a car using stainless steel, and Chris Nicholson, who has long restored the exterior of that car, described the difficulty as "having to overcome absolute hell." Moreover, since there are not many repair shops experienced in handling stainless steel materials currently, Nicholson predicted that when the Cybertruck is released, "people will have to learn how to perform these (repair) tasks."

Earlier, Musk expressed frustration over the difficulties in Cybertruck production. During the Q3 earnings conference call in mid-last month, he explained the challenges of Cybertruck production and said, "We have dug our own grave with the Cybertruck."

Due to these issues, Musk did not provide exact figures when asked about the expected Cybertruck delivery volume next year during last month's earnings announcement. Instead, he responded, "If you want to do something radical, innovative, and truly special like the Cybertruck, it is very difficult because there is nothing to imitate. You have to invent not only the car itself but also the way to make the car. The more unknown the territory, the harder it is to predict the outcome."

Meanwhile, ahead of the official Cybertruck launch, Tesla's stock price surged more than 4%. On the 28th (local time) at the New York Stock Exchange, Tesla recorded $246.72, up 4.51% from the previous trading day.