Tesla's fourth quarter and 2022 earnings call with investors was mostly good news unless you were planning to drive a Cybertruck soon. While company executives eagerly jumped on every question asked by investors, there was a noticeable pause when a point-blank question was asked about Cybertruck's mid-year production date.
Elon Musk responded "um, we do expect production to start, I don't know, maybe sometime this summer. But I always like to try to downplay the start of production because the start of production is always very slow. It increases exponentially, but it's always very slow at first. So I wouldn't put too much thought in start of production."
Volume Production Next Year
If the millions of people with Cybertruck reservations were in attendance, you might have felt the air leave the room. The previous belief was mass production would start by the end of 2023. There may be some stainless-steel beauties on the road by then, but only a few. "It's kind of when does volume production actually happen, and that's next year," said Musk.
Perhaps sensing some disappointed buyers, Lars Moravy, Tesla's Vice President of Vehicle Engineering added, "(I'd) like just to emphasize on that, we've started installation of all the production equipment here in Giga Texas, castings, general assembly, body shops. We built all our beta vehicles, some more coming still in the next month, but as you said, the ramp will really come 2024."
The Cybertruck Will be Elon's Next Car
Cybertruck was originally announced in 2019 at the memorable event that included the unbreakable armor glass smashing. Musk was wearing the smashed glass Cybertruck t-shirt while taking questions from investors. While the wait continues, he is adamant that it will be worth it, "So it's an incredible product. I can't wait to drive it personally. It will be the car that I drive every day… it's just one of those products that only comes along once in a while, and it's really special."
The original release deadline was set for 2021. However, the production date has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, like a global pandemic. Nevertheless, it is a positive sign that beta vehicles have been produced. Images of what appears to be a Cybertruck were leaked a few months ago.
Recently, chief designer Franz von Holzhausen did confirm that the Cybertruck was ready for production, but it's a work in progress. Every Tesla beta product gets thoroughly examined and meticulously reviewed before the next step. But at least it's a step in the right direction.
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FSD users can now join in the Holiday revelry, as FSDS V13.2.2 has started rolling out to customers, and it includes all the 2024 Telsa Holiday Update features.
Tesla’s VP of AI - Ashok Elluswamy, previously mentioned that the Holiday Update would be making its way to FSD users sometime this week. Ashok’s timelines have been right on point. All models with AI4/HW4 vehicles in North America are starting to receive the updated FSD release alongside all the features of the Holiday update.
This new build is update 2024.45.25.5, which should make its way throughout the fleet over the week.
Holiday Highlights
The Holiday update has a ton of new features in it, including new app features like Apple Watch support, the Dashcam and Sentry Mode Viewer and the ability to start Light Shows.
Here is our first look at FSD V13.2.2. While the release notes don’t point out any new features for FSD, it’s expected to include several unknown fixes and improvements.
Here is highlight clip #1 from my FSD Supervised v13.2.2 First Impressions Drive on the AI4 Model Y. This was an amazing example of EGO getting itself out of a bad situation very quickly. Bravo @Tesla_AIpic.twitter.com/gogzNswiTq
If you’re already on Tesla’s Holiday update, version 2024.44.25.2, and you have a HW4 vehicle, then this version now qualifies you to receive FSD V13.2. We expect all HW4 vehicles with FSD to migrate to this version in the coming week or two.
If you have HW3, then look out for a future update, including FSD v12.6.
FSD V12.6 for HW3 Soon
For Hardware 3 owners, FSD V12.6 is also right around the corner - it should be launching no later than the end of the year, according to Ashok. We’re expecting the new tech stack for highway driving, the updated speed profiles, including Hurry Mode, as well as improvements from V12.5.6 to land for HW3 soon.
If you’re excited about that, go read our in-depth look at V12.5.6 to see a preview of what you’ll be getting in V12.6.
We’re looking forward to seeing the demo drives of V13.2.2 from some of our usual influencers, but the good news is the update has already started rolling out to the general public, so expect larger waves soon.
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Discount Per Model
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Free Supercharging and FSD
You must take delivery by December 31st, 2024 to qualify for the three months of FSD and free Supercharging. It’s not clear whether Tesla will offer these benefits starting January 1st.
Referral Codes
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