How is Tesla Keeping Things Simple with the Cybertruck Castings

Is Tesla really simplifying things or just playing tricks?

I usually support companies trying to innovate and simplify things but I have no confidence in Tesla to do this safely or in a way that truly helps the customer instead of just their profits.

Sam said:
I usually support companies trying to innovate and simplify things but I have no confidence in Tesla to do this safely or in a way that truly helps the customer instead of just their profits.

Are you talking about their impressive safety ratings in crash tests? Or how they keep lowering prices for customers?

I get that Musk isn’t everyone’s favourite, but pretending Tesla isn’t consistently improving their products for customers is funny.

Sam said:
I usually support companies trying to innovate and simplify things but I have no confidence in Tesla to do this safely or in a way that truly helps the customer instead of just their profits.

Teslas offer great value for the price compared to any car. Reasonable price, high reliability, top safety ratings, comfortable rides, regular software updates, and low maintenance costs along with great highway autopilot features.

@Weston
Come on mate. None of that is completely true.

If you’d been reasonable and avoided extremes, you’d have been closer to the truth.

Vale said:
@Weston
Come on mate. None of that is completely true.

If you’d been reasonable and avoided extremes, you’d have been closer to the truth.

Moderate price - I think they offer some of the best deals like their RWD M3. The same goes for the Model Y in that segment.

High reliability - Maybe questionable, but their drivetrains, batteries, and key parts seem solid.

Top safety - The M3, MY, MX, and MS all seem to have excellent crash test ratings in their class. I can agree with that.

Comfortable - Definitely not…

Regular software updates - They’ve set the standard for the past decade and look to keep that up in the coming years.

Low maintenance costs - I believe that, though I don’t have specific numbers to back it up.

great highway autopilot features - Yes, but other brands have caught up now.

Which ones do you disagree with?

@Ezri
According to Consumer Reports, Teslas have the lowest maintenance costs of any brand: Four of Five Least-Expensive Brands to Maintain Are American - Consumer Reports

I don’t see how you can say Teslas aren’t comfortable. The refreshed Model 3 (and soon Y) have ventilated seats, and you can adjust the temperature or warm the seats from the app before getting in. The vents can be finely adjusted via the screen. It’s not a luxury car, but it is comfortable.

What other brands’ standard ADAS can compete with Tesla’s?

@Weston
I agreed with the low maintenance part, so learn to read.

Teslas aren’t comfortable when you compare them to Lexus or Acura models, and forget about German luxury cars. They are similar to some high-optioned Toyotas or Hondas. Having heated and ventilated seats is convenient but doesn’t make a car comfortable.

Have you experienced the latest offerings from Toyota or Lexus? Their highway ADAS works as well as my 2022 Model Y with Autopilot, especially on highways. They have far fewer phantom braking incidents and their lane-keeping is comparable to Tesla’s.

@Weston
According to a study, Tesla ranks as the 16th cheapest brand for servicing and maintenance costs. Not sure how Consumer Reports came up with $4k over 10 years when a major service is about £300.

@Ezri
Saying ‘highest’ means no one is better, the person who posted this didn’t say ‘great’ or ‘good’ or ‘one of the best’.

There are cars that are more reliable, cars that are safer (no one has ever died in an XC90, and Tesla doesn’t make the top 10 NCAP cars), and there are definitely cheaper cars to maintain.

@Weston
That’s true, but the worry here is that a single casting creates a single point of failure, especially regarding towing capacity and long-term use.

Aluminum usually isn’t the best for tensile strength; it’s sturdy but doesn’t flex back without damage. That’s fine for regular car frames but a truck that might tow 11k is… concerning.

I wouldn’t tow with a Cybertruck until Tesla performs more tests.

@Han
It’s a composite. It performs well; just look up tests from reputable third parties.

Weston said:
@Han
It’s a composite. It performs well; just look up tests from reputable third parties.

Composite aluminum? You mean an alloy?

Han said:

Weston said:
@Han
It’s a composite. It performs well; just look up tests from reputable third parties.

Composite aluminum? You mean an alloy?

Sure

Weston said:

Han said:
Weston said:
@Han
It’s a composite. It performs well; just look up tests from reputable third parties.

Composite aluminum? You mean an alloy?

Sure

Right… This shouldn’t be used for towing, alloy or not. The problem is that aluminum fatigues over time - stressing it with heavy loads is a bad idea - so until Tesla can prove long-term safety, I wouldn’t trust it for towing.

@Han
Munro’s recent review of the Cybertruck’s casting was very positive. I doubt he’d buy one if he thought it ‘wasn’t a real truck’ or whatever negativity we’re hearing today.

Weston said:
@Han
Munro’s recent review of the Cybertruck’s casting was very positive. I doubt he’d buy one if he thought it ‘wasn’t a real truck’ or whatever negativity we’re hearing today.

I mean, it has other significant issues aside from the towing concerns, but I hope they are fixed in later models of the Cybertruck.

Just be cautious for those who are basically beta testing this vehicle.

It’s obvious this is Tesla’s first truck; I just hope it isn’t their last.

But with the too-thin control arms, underpowered suspension pump, and casting frame concerns, I hope they improve.

@Han
Watch Munro’s teardown videos. You’re completely wrong.

Weston said:
@Han
Watch Munro’s teardown videos. You’re completely wrong.

What are your thoughts on this discussion? It feels like we’re missing some perspectives.

Sam said:
I usually support companies trying to innovate and simplify things but I have no confidence in Tesla to do this safely or in a way that truly helps the customer instead of just their profits.

Are you saying you don’t trust them to keep doing what they’re already doing?

That seems odd.