The Tesla Cybertruck has been a major topic of discussion among car lovers since it was first announced. Currently, the vehicle is sold exclusively in the United States and Canada.
There is no clarity on whether Tesla will launch this vehicle in Europe, Australia, or other parts of the world. While a handful of Cybertrucks have been spotted on European streets, several safety concerns remain.
Major issues have delayed the launch of the Tesla Cybertruck in Australia. Firstly, the Cybertruck is made exclusively in a left-hand drive (LHD) configuration. It also needs to comply with Australian vehicle regulations. Most importantly, the company is currently focusing on fulfilling the demand of the North American market. Let’s dig deeper into why Cybertruck is not available outside North America.
What Is Stopping the Tesla Cybertruck from Entering the Global Market?
Last year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors he is open to global exports for the pickup truck, but it would not be feasible until 2025 at the earliest. He mentioned that the Cybertruck would require design changes to meet international standards. Currently, the vehicle is only engineered to meet North American motor vehicle regulations, which are not as strict as European or Australian standards.
Design Issues
Tesla designed the Cybertruck to meet North American requirements. Musk mentioned in a statement that if they started going with the superset of all international requirements, it would impose many constraints on the Cybertruck, making the product worse. He added that the company would have to make special versions to comply with regulations in different regions, such as Europe or China.
The Tesla Cybertruck’s unusual design has raised concerns around the world, especially in regions where the authorities are more stringent about road safety. The vehicle’s sharp, angular design, particularly its stainless steel nose, is a major safety concern on public roads. Its lack of side mirrors, non-rounded edges, and potential for protruding tyres violate basic road safety regulations in various countries.
Production and Demand Issues
To meet the country-specific safety regulations, Tesla would have to make significant changes to its current Cybertruck design. However, adding such complexity to the design would only make sense when the company achieves higher-volume production on the Cybertruck. In a statement, Musk said that the production of the Cybertruck would need to ramp up before Tesla can consider a global export plan.
According to Musk, there is still plenty of work to be done to reduce costs for the Cybertruck. It is very difficult to go from prototype to production. Once you reach production, it is even harder to improve the cost of goods by 20% than to reach production in the first place. Also, it is worth mentioning that the vehicle’s exterior panels are made from stainless steel, which is more expensive than traditional vehicle manufacturing materials, potentially impacting profitability.
Safety and Compliance
Europe’s car market has followed the North American shift to big and heavy sports utility vehicles (SUVs). However, safety and pollution regulations in Europe have stunted the growth of the most dangerous pickup trucks. Despite these concerns, thousands of the biggest vehicles have flooded the EU states through a back-door channel. This has caught the attention of authorities, making it difficult for Cybertruck enthusiasts in Europe to own this large SUV.
Many people have raised concerns that the sharp edges of Cybertrucks are capable of slicing a person thrust against them. It is also highlighted by many that if one of your body parts, especially the head, strikes one of its bulletproof panels, it can cause additional harm. The elevated front could also increase the risk during head-on collisions, especially when striking those walking, biking, or in a wheelchair. Unless these concerns are addressed by Tesla while redesigning the Cybertruck, it will be difficult for the company to roll out their flagship SUV in the global market.
Conclusion
The unique design, strong build, and great features of the Tesla Cybertruck helped it gain massive popularity worldwide. However, its sales are currently limited to the North American market. While people around the world are interested in owning the SUV, safety concerns, unusual design, production issues, and other factors are delaying its global launch. Even if Tesla rolls out the Cybertruck in Europe and Japan, it will take more time for the company to launch it in Australia, as the compliance requirements and road safety guidelines are stricter in this country.
