A Tesla Cybertruck is exhibited at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, United States, as of December 21, 2023. (Reuters)
Tesla's Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, emphasized the distinct and divisive appearance of the Cybertruck, asserting its role in enhancing the Tesla brand. At the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where the Cybertruck is being included in a Tesla exhibit, von Holzhausen praised the truck's unconventional design as a catalyst for discussions, acknowledging its polarizing effect.
He highlighted that despite its delayed release and starting price of $60,990 (significantly higher than earlier projections by CEO Elon Musk in 2019), the Cybertruck is captivating interest from a fresh demographic—individuals not previously inclined towards owning a truck. According to von Holzhausen, this unexpected appeal has led to potential buyers lining up at select Tesla showrooms.
The chief designer expressed confidence in the Cybertruck's potential for high-volume sales, stating that its performance matches that of traditional truck models, addressing concerns of skeptics. Von Holzhausen dismissed perceptions of the Cybertruck being an experimental venture, emphasizing its capability to draw in new consumers to the truck market.
The Cybertruck's distinctive angular appearance, wrapped in stainless steel, stemmed from engineering limitations—traditional presses are unable to bend the steel into curved shapes. Von Holzhausen cited inspiration from the angular design of the Lamborghini Countach and Lockheed's F-117 Stealth Fighter jet, commending the intelligence of engineers in creating functionality despite unconventional appearances.
The Tesla design studio drew inspiration from the car-submarine hybrid in the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me," a vehicle later acquired by Musk. However, the Cybertruck's launch encountered setbacks, notably during its unveiling in 2019 when von Holzhausen's attempt to demonstrate the vehicle's reinforced glass backfired as the windows shattered.
Despite these incidents, von Holzhausen defended the Cybertruck, sharing personal anecdotes of his children enjoying rides in it and instances where he was mistaken for Elon Musk while driving it. Yet, recent viral videos showing the Cybertruck's limitations, such as struggling to ascend a slope while towing a Christmas tree, have circulated, sparking discussions about the truck's practicality in real-world scenarios.
In essence, von Holzhausen remains steadfast in his belief that the Cybertruck's uniqueness will continue to provoke interest and reshape perceptions, aiming to broaden Tesla's consumer base despite the vehicle's unconventional appearance and occasional setbacks.
