Tesla wants to make the same mistake… but on a smaller scale
This page is translated from the original post "Tesla veut refaire la même erreur… mais en plus petit" in French.
- 30/07/2025 12:14
After the resounding failure of the Cybertruck, Tesla is already considering a brilliant Plan B. The same pickup, but smaller
A risky leap forward from Tesla, which could end up worsening the issues rather than fixing them. The problem is not just the size of the Cybertruck, but its complete disconnect from market expectations.
The pickup segment is dominated by utility vehicles above all. There is no room for style effects or futuristic gadgets. What users are looking for is robustness, affordability, simple powertrains, easy maintenance, and above all, versatility. These are qualities that electric vehicles still struggle to offer, given the technical constraints (weight, range, charging under load) that are difficult to bypass. The Cybertruck, with its polarizing aesthetics, high price, and complex technology, did not meet any of these criteria. The numbers are stubborn and speak for themselves, as when Tesla hoped for 250,000 annual sales, it is capped at 20,000 units.
Big is beautiful
Making a smaller version without rethinking the substance is just repeating the same mistake. A “downsized” Cybertruck will remain a niche product, too atypical to convince the core target of the market. Worse, it would divert Tesla even further from its strategic priorities.
In contrast, the example of Slate, a newcomer in the sector, shows another way. This manufacturer, notably backed by Jeff Bezos, is developing a simple, modular small electric pickup designed from the start for everyday and professional use. The approach is pragmatic, industrial, and realistic. Exactly what the market demands.
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Rather than insisting on imposing its futuristic vision, Tesla would do well to perform a real reset. Returning to the fundamentals of the pickup, meaning function before form. The priority is not to have a science-fiction design or hypothetical robotaxi functions. It is to be useful, practical, and affordable.
The Cybertruck is a failure because it did not meet the need. Making a smaller clone will change nothing. Except to prove that at Tesla, they prefer to repeat the same mistakes rather than learn from them.
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