Latest news with #RivianR1T
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.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
10 EVs that aren't Tesla and still turn heads
Drivers can choose from many EVs that aren't Tesla – Photo courtesy of piranka / E+ The rise of the electric vehicle, or EV, has been a long time coming. While it may seem like a 21st century innovation, the first basic electrified vehicle dates back to the late 1820s. Over the past two centuries, car manufacturers have iterated and innovated upon the original concept. Today, EVs continue to make strides in popularity and market share. While one company has driven much of the widespread adoption, many electric cars that aren't Tesla are turning heads. 'There's been a big increase in the variety of models and brands to choose from, including several different body styles,' says Edmunds' senior consumer advice editor Ronald Montoya. Also, as the number of public car-charging stations grows, EVs have become more practical. "Several models allow you to either charge less in the week or pay fewer visits to charge stations on a road trip,' Montoya adds. Variety aside, 'Electric vehicles can be less expensive to own and operate because electricity costs less than gasoline most of the time, and because they have fewer moving parts, which means less maintenance,' says Sean Tucker, lead editor of Kelley Blue Book. 'They can also be more fun to drive than gas-powered cars, as a gasoline engine spools up power gradually over a few seconds, whereas an EV instantly has 100% of its power available.' Advertisement To help you pick the right EV, we asked Montoya and Tucker for their take on the best electric cars beyond Tesla. Whether you're looking for a sports EV, one for family, commuting, or just a cool one, these recommendations have you covered. Chevrolet Equinox EV Chevrolet Equinox EV is a perfect crossover for commuters – Photo courtesy of Chevrolet MSRP: Starting at $33,600 Fuel economy: Up to 117 MPGe Advertisement The Chevrolet Equinox EV is a fantastic crossover option for city commuters. Tucker notes that this compact, affordable car is excellent for urban drivers and gives access to Chevrolet's massive nationwide repair network should anything go wrong. The roomy interior and quiet drive make for a pleasant experience, whether a passenger or behind the wheel. Kia EV9 Kia EV9 is a best EV pick for families – Photo courtesy of Kia MSRP: Starting at $54,900 Fuel economy: Up to 89 MPGe Advertisement Large families may want to check out the Kia EV9, which has plenty of practical space and a distinctive, futuristic look. Whether in the first or third row of this electric vehicle, you'll feel like you can stretch out, and we always appreciate a quiet, smooth ride. Plus, the EV9 charges quickly, making charging stops relatively short. Rivian R1T Rivian R1T is an excellent EV choice that isn't a Tesla – Photo courtesy of Rivian MSRP: Starting at $69,900 Fuel economy: Up to 93 MPGe Advertisement The midsize Rivian R1T proves you can drive a pickup truck without an internal combustion engine. With excellent off-road capabilities and a spacious storage bed, you get several traditional benefits of a truck with much more attractive mileage. You get from 0 to 60 mph in about 3 seconds, depending on your engine configuration. Fiat 500e The Fiat 500e is a zippy little EV for city drivers – Photo courtesy of Fiat MSRP: Starting at $32,500 Fuel economy: Up to 121 MPGe Advertisement If affordability is at the top of your list of concerns, the Fiat 500e is a great pick. Not only are there great lease deals, but the brand also offers an Employee Pricing PLUS Program. This compact car is a charming city option with fast-charging and efficient performance. The retro design makes the Fiat stand out. Ford Mustang Mach-E Mustang Mach E is one of the coolest EVs out there – Photo courtesy of Ford MSRP: Starting at $37,995 Fuel economy: Up to 111 MPGe Advertisement As Ford's first fully electric vehicle, the Mach-E is a cool car. It doesn't read like a Ford. (You'll only see the distinctive oval logo at the top of the windscreen.) Instead, it looks more like the car of the future. You can tailor the appearance of the Mach-E with paint colors like Molten Magenta and enjoy comfortable, spacious interiors and a sporty drive feel. MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric SUV MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Electric is a fun EV option for SUV drivers – Photo courtesy of MINI MSRP: Starting at $45,200 Fuel economy: Up to 99 MPGe Advertisement It feels like fun is at the heart of all Minis, which is certainly the case with the Countryman SE Electric SUV. While this crossover is undoubtedly cute, it's also speedy, making this an excellent option for folks needing speed. Steering is generally well-regarded in this vehicle, making it ideal for navigating traffic. GMC Hummer EV GMC Hummer EV is beast for off-roading – Photo courtesy of GMC MSRP: Starting at $96,550 Fuel economy: Up to 59 MPGe Advertisement For an off-roading EV, you'll want to go with a Hummer. While the GMC Hummer EV isn't necessarily as fuel-efficient as others on this list, it's competent when handling rough terrain. And thanks to its large size, it's also an incredibly comfortable ride, even when traversing bumps and dips. Hyundai Ioniq 6 The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is one of the best-rated EVs – Photo courtesy of Hyundai MSRP: Starting at $37,850 Fuel economy: Up to 151 MPGe The undeniably cool design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 makes this EV a conversation piece. But it's not just looks — the impressive range and performance at a relatively affordable price point have made this Hyundai a favorite among critics and drivers alike. The sporty design also means this car has a low center of gravity, making for easier handling. Advertisement Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition The Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition is an EV with style – Photo courtesy of Stellantis MSRP: Starting at $72,790 Fuel economy: Up to 104 MPGe The latest Jeep Wagoneer S Launch may be the Jeep of the future. It's the only full EV from the brand, and certainly doesn't compromise on that must-have Jeep four-wheel drive and power (packing 600 horsepower thanks to twin engines). The car reads luxury with a McIntosh audio system and massaging seats, and gets up to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. BMW i5 The BMW i5 is a luxury EV pick for serious car lovers – Photo courtesy of BMW MSRP: Starting at $67,100 Advertisement
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla is now accepting Cybertruck trade-ins. 2 owners showed us how much their vehicles have depreciated.
Tesla is now accepting Cybertruck trade-ins, showing owners a glimpse of its depreciation rate. Two owners shared their Cybertruck trade-in estimates, revealing a roughly 37% to 38% depreciation after a year. EV depreciation rates tend to be higher than other cars, but the Cybertruck's appears to outpace rivals like the Rivian R1T. Tesla's Cybertruck launched with some asterisks. Owners technically weren't allowed to resell the vehicle for a year — if they did, Tesla said it could sue for damages and blacklist the owner from buying future Teslas. Tesla also didn't offer Cybertruck trade-ins. Now, more than a year and a half since the first Cybertrucks were delivered, the company is allowing owners to trade in the electric pickup for credit toward a new Tesla, offering a glimpse into its depreciation rate. Two Cybertruck owners shared the estimated trade-in values that Tesla offered them after they requested a quote: one who owns the all-wheel drive model and the other who has a top-of-the-line Cyberbeast variant. Despite a difference in mileage of more than 10,000 miles, both vehicles showed a similar depreciation rate of around 37% to 38%. The all-wheel-drive owner told BI he spent around $100,000 on the Cybertruck about a year ago, including add-ons. After driving 19,623 miles with the vehicle, his trade-in estimate came in at $63,100, a roughly 37% depreciation. The Cyberbeast owner said he purchased the vehicle in September for around $118,000 plus tax, which took the total cost to roughly $127,000. The owner received a trade-in estimate of $78,200, also representing around a 38% decrease in value in 8 months of ownership. Tesla's trade-in estimates are just that — estimates. Tesla notes in the fine print under the estimate that the value is "based on current market conditions and vehicle details," and that the estimate could differ from the final offer. In other words, the final amount Tesla is willing to credit to the owner could end up being less. EV news website Electrek reported earlier on Tesla beginning to accept Cybertruck trade-ins. Vehicles famously begin to depreciate as soon as owners drive them off the lot, but Tesla's trade-in estimates give a glimpse into how the company values used Cybertrucks at a time when some car dealers have shared struggles to sell used models. The trade-in estimates shared with BI suggest the Cybertruck has a higher depreciation rate than the average vehicle. Kelly Blue Book estimates that new cars depreciate about 30% on average over the first 2 years and lose an added 8% to 12% each year after that. But it's important to note that EVs tend to depreciate at a higher rate as used models have increasingly hit the market amid the EV buying slowdown in recent years. An iSeeCars study that analyzed over 800,000 5-year-old used cars sold from March 2024 to February 2025 found that EVs lost the most value, depreciating 58.8% in five years. The study found that trucks and hybrids retain the most value, with trucks losing 40.4% of their value in a five-year period. Still, the rates that Cybertruck owners shared appear steeper than similar models like Rivian's all-electric 2023 R1T, which depreciated about 29% in the last two years, according to Kelly Blue Book. Not all Tesla models depreciate at the same rate. While the iSeeCars study revealed that the Tesla Model S ranks among the top depreciating vehicles, with an average five-year depreciation rate of 65.2%, the Model 3 holds the lowest five-year depreciation rate among EVs at 55.9%. While depreciation rates can vary based on several factors, including market conditions and mileage, the Cybertruck's decline in value comes amid wider pressures on the brand. Amid political backlash over Tesla CEO Elon Musk's involvement in DOGE, Cybertruck owners have faced harassment and vandalism. Some owners have expressed interest in selling their vehicles, with one telling BI earlier this year that he returned his Cybertruck soon after purchasing it due to concerns about his kids getting bullied. Despite Musk saying Tesla had over 1 million reservations prior to its release, a March recall filing revealed Tesla delivered fewer than 50,000 Cybertrucks. BI also earlier reported that the automaker has scaled back Cybertruck production in recent months, dropping targets for several Cybertruck lines. Are you a Tesla employee? Contact the reporter from a non-work device and email at aaltchek@ or via the encrypted message app Signal at aalt.19. Read the original article on Business Insider 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
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I Think I Just Built a Slate Electric Truck for Under $20,000 -- and Tesla and Rivian Should Be Nervous
Jeff Bezos-backed Slate is a new car company planning to build electric trucks in the Midwest for 2026 delivery. The base model Slate should retail for under $28,000, and cost less than $20,000 after EV tax credits. Competing electric trucks from Tesla and Rivian cost 3 to 4 times more than Slate's compact EV truck. 10 stocks we like better than Rivian Automotive › Have you heard about the new Slate electric truck? Because Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) certainly have. And if you're an investor in either of these two leading electric vehicle (EV) stocks, you should definitely be keeping an eye on Slate. And if you have not heard about Slate yet, here's what you need to know. First and foremost, you need to know that the threat Slate poses to Tesla and Rivian is of the not-quite-yet variety. Although backed by multiple well-heeled financiers, billionaire Jeff Bezos among them, Slate is an electric car company still firmly in start-up mode. Media reports indicate (but Slate is not yet confirming), that Slate EV truck deliveries probably won't begin before the final quarter of 2026. That said, pre-orders of Slate trucks, secured by a refundable $50 deposit, began last week. It's likely they've already begun to affect sales of Tesla Cybertrucks and Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles. Slate describes its new electric truck as "the most radically simple, wildly personalizable vehicle out there," designed in California and assembled in Michigan (or perhaps Indiana -- here's some confusion on this point). At its basest level, Slate is a tiny two-door RWD pickup. It's roughly the size of an early 2000s-era standard cab Ford Ranger, but two feet shorter in length than a modern Ford Maverick hybrid pickup, for example, and much smaller than Tesla's or Rivian's trucks. Slate is building interest in the new vehicle by advertising it at "an expected price of under $20,000 after federal incentives," which implies a base price of perhaps $27,000, minus a federal tax credit of $7,500 for U.S.-built electric vehicles. Compare that to Cybertruck's $69,990 entry price, the $71,700 a base Rivian R1T will cost you, or the $77,700 MSRP on a Rivian R1S, and you can see right away why Slate is attracting interest, and probably stealing away market share from its rivals. Of course, all of the above are advertised base model prices. Start adding options, and each of the EVs named above skyrockets in cost. (Cybertruck, for example, is described as the best-selling vehicle in America, "priced above $100,000," which tells you few shoppers are finding Cybertrucks for under $70,000.) And Slate already has "nearly four dozen accessories" available for add-on. All of which got me thinking. I'm a cheapskate at heart, and I'd really like to see if it's possible to build a Slate truck for something close to its advertised price. Is that possible? And would a cheap Slate truck be worth owning? So I decided to find out. Logging onto Slate's website, I set up an account and paid the $50 reservation fee -- then started building. I began with what's called the Blank Slate, a 150-mile range electric truck in two-door pickup configuration, adding only a spare tire carrier to the rear liftgate, which required adding a bigger rear bumper. I skipped right past options to add decals or "wrap" the Slate in a different color. (Colors are added by wrapping, rather than painting, on Slate). I similarly skipped upgrades for all-terrain tires and bigger tires, and left the wheels alone as well. And I declined an upgrade to a 240-mile range battery pack. I might rethink that decision later. Headlights and brake lights? The basics work for me. Likewise most interior colors, including for seat, armrest, steering wheel, and window crank -- yes, Slate has manual windows. I did add contrasting colors for climate control dials and key fob, to make them easier to find in the dark. For the floor, I chose an easy-to-clean rubber floor liner, and rubber floor mats, figuring for a completely new truck model, it might a while before Walmart stocks mats that fit. The big decision was on the stereo. Slate offers the option to "bring your own" configuration in which neither stereo nor speakers are installed. Instead, you can add a speaker mount, phone holder, and Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel. Then buy a Bluetooth speaker on (NASDAQ: AMZN), plug it in and connect it to your phone. Abracadabra, you've got a pack 'n' play entertainment center that never goes obsolete -- because when it does, you can just switch it out for the latest tech. Slate actually recommends this option. I have a hunch Amazon likes the idea, too, as do I. Ultimately, I still probably skipped 90% of the "personalization" steps Slate offered, all in the interest of getting a basic, usable electric truck for a price as low as humanly possible. And did it work? I hope so. Slate doesn't actually show the price effect of any of its personalization options, not even for the battery upgrade, which I suspect affects MSRP significantly. When all's said and done, I couldn't tell you exactly how much my Slate build will cost. Still and all, the vast majority of the personalization options seem entirely skippable, without affecting the functionality of the truck (aside from the battery upgrade, that is, or the option of converting the pickup into an SUV). This suggests that buying a bare-bones Slate for close to the advertised price -- again, that's under $20,000 after government tax incentives -- is in fact entirely doable, as the company claims it is. Just the prospect alone, and the promise of deliveries starting perhaps 18 months from now, could drain significant demand away from Tesla and Rivian. For a chance to save 70% off the cost of a new electric truck, I can afford to wait. Before you buy stock in Rivian Automotive, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Rivian Automotive wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $613,546!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $695,897!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 893% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 162% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 5, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. I Think I Just Built a Slate Electric Truck for Under $20,000 -- and Tesla and Rivian Should Be Nervous was originally published by The Motley Fool
