Latest news with #FordF-150Lightning
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Column: Full-size electric pickups are failed product planning experiment and industry disaster
There is a statistic in my colleague Laurence Iliff's story on the failure of full-size electric pickups that, pardon the pun, shocked me. The combustion and hybrid Toyota Tundra had more new-vehicle registrations during the first quarter than the entire industry's collection of full-size electric pickups — by a lot. That statistic is in no way a brag on the Tundra, which remains a distant No. 5 in what is now a five-horse segment since the death of the even slower-selling Nissan Titan. According to S&P Global Mobility, the Tundra recorded a meager 36,895 new registrations in the U.S. in the first quarter, while the Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer, Rivian R1T and GMC Sierra EV collectively posted about 22,000 registrations. By comparison, combustion-powered pickups from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Ram reached 478,823 registrations in the first quarter, S&P said. Were it not for investments and expectations that rival the size of the immense front fascias on virtually all of the aforementioned full-size behemoths, this failed experiment would already be over. The score: Newtonian Physics ∞, Hype & Hope 0. Sign up for Automotive Views, Automotive News' weekly showcase of opinions, insights, ideas and thought leadership. I can't begin to fathom how many tens of billions of dollars were spent by automakers and their suppliers developing and building those full-size electric pickups over the last decade. You can, however, get some sense of how bad the miss was when you look at the sales/production volumes auto executives anticipated, including Elon Musk's quarter- to half-million annual sales estimate for the Cybertruck, or Ford's initial F-150 Lightning estimate of up to 150,000 sales annually. So why did full-size electric pickups fail so badly? I would argue that it wasn't just physics — though the need for a bigger, more expensive battery to push these bigger vehicles farther as long as they are not towing anything shouldn't be minimized. But I think a share of the responsibility for this collective flop also lies with the companies' product planning departments. While all vehicles are compromised in some form or fashion by the time they reach consumers, full-size electric pickups lack a fundamental quality that has made their combustion-powered counterparts the U.S. sales champs for decades: Uncompromised utility. The legacy pickups are renowned for accomplishing whatever task their owners set them to. That unstoppable capability is what gave rise to the 'lifestyle' pickup in the first place, as consumers desired at least a taste of that confidence, even if they rarely, if ever, actually needed that power. Product planners and their auto executive bosses failed to account in their sales projections for just how much compromise an electric-pickup owner would face in everyday life. Sure, the trucks have some excellent features, including loads and loads of torque, but so do their combustion counterparts. And while it may cost extra fuel to tow a trailer with those combustion-powered vehicles, a heavy trailer sucks up a battery pack's juice quickly — and recharging is not nearly as quick and convenient as a gas station fill-up. It's the same reason that battery-electric semis are probably doomed to failure: It's just the wrong technology for that use case. Sorry. In a world ruled by logic and not emotion, society would consign new technologies to the areas where they have the greatest advantage. Battery-electric powertrains make the greatest sense in vehicles with limited mass and with limited demands, while hydrogen (and diesel) is more efficient in larger, demand-dependent vehicles where towing capability is paramount. We don't live in that world, unfortunately, which is why full-size electric pickups are failing. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Cybertruck's Huge Depreciation is Mindblowingly Bad
There's nothing like the Tesla Cybertruck on the market today. Its radical design pushes the envelope of what's considered modern, resulting in an appearance that gets attention wherever it goes. Initially, that was a very good thing, and the hype about the Cybertruck, its capabilities, and exclusivity was everywhere. The Cybertruck was, at the very least, polarizing. Some loved its daring design that thumbed its angles and corners at convention. Others couldn't stand the 'fancy dumpster' and considered it an eyesore and an offense to good design. The Cybertruck has since fallen from grace, with over three months' surplus of unsold units. That's no bueno in the automotive industry and typically indicative of a bad sales forecast. Tesla has been discounting Cybertrucks to move them off lots, and to add insult to injury, it now appears that resale values have tanked. A recent report from Jalopnik reveals how this all transpired. For more than a year after the Cybertruck's release, Tesla wouldn't accept the vehicle as a trade-in for other Tesla models. In a reversal of this policy, the automaker recently allowed owners to sell their Cybertrucks back to Tesla. In doing so, the automaker has inadvertently revealed why it resisted taking them back in the first place: it doesn't place a high value on used Cybertrucks. On the Cybertruck Owner's Club forum, users have been testing Tesla's trade-in system, supposedly out of curiosity. These are Cybertruck loyalists, for the most part, and the trade-in estimates they're seeing are harrowing. Estimates reflect as much as a 35% drop in value after only about a year. Typically, anything more than 15% in the first year is considered significant depreciation for a new vehicle, and the Cybertruck's is more than twice that. 35% depreciation is typical of a mainstream vehicle after three years, not just one. Tesla obviously won't give much for a used Cybertruck when they can't even sell new ones. Tesla had previously claimed the Cybertruck would only depreciate by 30% over three years. The market has told a different story—and now, so is Tesla. The company appears to be adjusting its expectations, offering resale prices that reflect the severely weakened demand and steep depreciation already evident in the secondary market. Numerous factors likely contribute to this steep depreciation, including increased competition in the EV market (Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV in the U.S.; the BYD Shark in international markets), Elon Musk's political views and current influence in President Trump's administration, and issues with the quality and recall history of the Cybertruck model. At the moment, it seems that all signs are pointing to a growing consensus about the value and perception of the Cybertruck, one that even Tesla may be starting to accept: the Cybertruck's polarizing design and mixed reception are taking a toll on its long-term value, along with Elon Musk's ever-growing negative public perception. For a vehicle that was so coveted at the outset to fall so hard is a rarity in the automotive world, but here we are. Whether or not Tesla can dig the Cybertruck out of its giant hole is the question. Tesla Cybertruck's Huge Depreciation is Mindblowingly Bad first appeared on Autoblog on May 25, 2025
Miami Herald
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla Cybertruck's Huge Depreciation is Mindblowingly Bad
There's nothing like the Tesla Cybertruck on the market today. Its radical design pushes the envelope of what's considered modern, resulting in an appearance that gets attention wherever it goes. Initially, that was a very good thing, and the hype about the Cybertruck, its capabilities, and exclusivity was everywhere. The Cybertruck was, at the very least, polarizing. Some loved its daring design that thumbed its angles and corners at convention. Others couldn't stand the "fancy dumpster" and considered it an eyesore and an offense to good design. The Cybertruck has since fallen from grace, with over three months' surplus of unsold units. That's no bueno in the automotive industry and typically indicative of a bad sales forecast. Tesla has been discounting Cybertrucks to move them off lots, and to add insult to injury, it now appears that resale values have tanked. A recent report from Jalopnik reveals how this all transpired. For more than a year after the Cybertruck's release, Tesla wouldn't accept the vehicle as a trade-in for other Tesla models. In a reversal of this policy, the automaker recently allowed owners to sell their Cybertrucks back to Tesla. In doing so, the automaker has inadvertently revealed why it resisted taking them back in the first place: it doesn't place a high value on used Cybertrucks. On the Cybertruck Owner's Club forum, users have been testing Tesla's trade-in system, supposedly out of curiosity. These are Cybertruck loyalists, for the most part, and the trade-in estimates they're seeing are harrowing. Estimates reflect as much as a 35% drop in value after only about a year. Typically, anything more than 15% in the first year is considered significant depreciation for a new vehicle, and the Cybertruck's is more than twice that. 35% depreciation is typical of a mainstream vehicle after three years, not just one. Tesla obviously won't give much for a used Cybertruck when they can't even sell new ones. Tesla had previously claimed the Cybertruck would only depreciate by 30% over three years. The market has told a different story-and now, so is Tesla. The company appears to be adjusting its expectations, offering resale prices that reflect the severely weakened demand and steep depreciation already evident in the secondary market. Numerous factors likely contribute to this steep depreciation, including increased competition in the EV market (Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV in the U.S.; the BYD Shark in international markets), Elon Musk's political views and current influence in President Trump's administration, and issues with the quality and recall history of the Cybertruck model. At the moment, it seems that all signs are pointing to a growing consensus about the value and perception of the Cybertruck, one that even Tesla may be starting to accept: the Cybertruck's polarizing design and mixed reception are taking a toll on its long-term value, along with Elon Musk's ever-growing negative public perception. For a vehicle that was so coveted at the outset to fall so hard is a rarity in the automotive world, but here we are. Whether or not Tesla can dig the Cybertruck out of its giant hole is the question. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla's Cybertruck Is No Longer America's Best-selling Electric Pickup Truck
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. The Tesla Cybertruck was knocked off its No. 1 spot as America's best-selling electric pickup truck in Q1 2025. According to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility, first spotted by InsideEVs, the Ford F-150 Lightning beat out the Cybertruck with 7,913 new registrations, compared to the Cybertruck's 7,126 registrations. The Chevrolet Silverado EV nabbed third place in Q1 2025, followed by the GMC Sierra EV, Rivian R1T, and GMC Hummer EV. The news follows the numerous controversies that have hit the Cybertruck over the past year, including everything from a spate of recalls that included flying trim pieces, failing front windshield wipers, and trapped pedals, to politically charged controversies and polarizing presidential endorsements. Public opinion may be souring against Tesla in general. A March 2025 report from market research firm YouGov found that a majority of Americans now have a negative opinion of the company, while the EV giant reported its first yearly sales decline in recent history in January. But while it's easy to attribute the Cybertruck's decline to CEO Elon Musk's antics or ongoing technical issues, models like the Ford F-150 may also simply be proving a hit with consumers. The model not only picked up strong reviews from many automotive journalists when it launched in early 2023, but it also offers consumers a much lower starting price tag. The Ford F-150 Lightning currently starts at $49,995 in the US, roughly $10,000 cheaper than the Cybertruck, with prices for the top trim variations offering a comparable discount. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, not only offers consumers a cheaper starting price for bare-bones models—it also offers perks like a much higher estimated range off a single charge. Analysts have been quick to chime in with ideas about the changing ranking. Robby DeGraff, an analyst at AutoPacific, told Automotive News that the F-150 Lightning "continues to reward EV buyers who desire a pickup truck with emissions-less practicality and durability," but without the "negative association, showboat styling, and questionable quality" of Tesla's futuristic truck.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla's Cybertruck Is No Longer America's Best-selling Electric Pickup Truck
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. The Tesla Cybertruck was knocked off its No. 1 spot as America's best-selling electric pickup truck in Q1 2025. According to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility, first spotted by InsideEVs, the Ford F-150 Lightning beat out the Cybertruck with 7,913 new registrations, compared to the Cybertruck's 7,126 registrations. The Chevrolet Silverado EV nabbed third place in Q1 2025, followed by the GMC Sierra EV, Rivian R1T, and GMC Hummer EV. The news follows the numerous controversies that have hit the Cybertruck over the past year, including everything from a spate of recalls that included flying trim pieces, failing front windshield wipers, and trapped pedals, to politically charged controversies and polarizing presidential endorsements. Public opinion may be souring against Tesla in general. A March 2025 report from market research firm YouGov found that a majority of Americans now have a negative opinion of the company, while the EV giant reported its first yearly sales decline in recent history in January. But while it's easy to attribute the Cybertruck's decline to CEO Elon Musk's antics or ongoing technical issues, models like the Ford F-150 may also simply be proving a hit with consumers. The model not only picked up strong reviews from many automotive journalists when it launched in early 2023, but it also offers consumers a much lower starting price tag. The Ford F-150 Lightning currently starts at $49,995 in the US, roughly $10,000 cheaper than the Cybertruck, with prices for the top trim variations offering a comparable discount. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, not only offers consumers a cheaper starting price for bare-bones models—it also offers perks like a much higher estimated range off a single charge. Analysts have been quick to chime in with ideas about the changing ranking. Robby DeGraff, an analyst at AutoPacific, told Automotive News that the F-150 Lightning "continues to reward EV buyers who desire a pickup truck with emissions-less practicality and durability," but without the "negative association, showboat styling, and questionable quality" of Tesla's futuristic truck.
