Elon Musk’s plans for 2019 may embody a Tesla pickup truck prototype

Tesla  CEO Elon Musk  has floated the thought for an all-electric pickup truck quite a few instances up to now two years. Now, he’s again at it, this time with a teaser that Tesla may need a prototype to unveil in 2019.

Musk talked about on Twitter the need to provide a pickup truck means again in April 2017, earlier than the primary Mannequin Three sedans had been handed over to prospects and the CEO had entered manufacturing hell. On the time, Musk tweeted pickup truck could be unveiled in 18 to 24 months. That timeline is in sync Musk’s newest tweet.

I’m dying to make a pickup truck so bad … we might have a prototype to unveil next year

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 11 Aralık 2018

Musk introduced up the pickup truck on Twitter once more in June 2018, a transfer some described as a diversionary tactic as the corporate tried to hit an vital manufacturing goal for the Model 3.

What would you love to see in a Tesla pickup truck? I have a few things in mind, but what do you think are small, but important nuances & what would be seriously next level?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 26 Haziran 2018

In fact, it needs to be famous prototype isn’t the identical as a manufacturing car nor does it present any clues as to when such a truck would make it into prospects’ fingers. A prototype would elevate different questions too, particularly the place Tesla would develop and assemble these vehicles. Tesla’s Fremont, California plant, the place the Mannequin S, Mannequin X and Mannequin Three are produced, doesn’t have the room to tackle a fourth car. The corporate is constructing out different amenities, however it’s unclear if there’s area for the sort of tooling and meeting traces wanted for mass manufacturing.

The automaker would face competitors from the gas-powered vehicles of the world, that are among the many best-selling autos in North America, in addition to newcomer Rivian. Rivian, which unveiled an all-electric pickup and SUV on the LA Auto Present in November, is predicted to start out manufacturing of their pickup and SUV in 2020.