Intriguing insights emerge from the latest biography on Elon Musk, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes turmoil among Tesla engineers regarding the iconic Cybertruck’s design. As per Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s design chief, some engineers held a strong aversion to Elon Musk’s vision for the Cybertruck’s aesthetics.
Von Holzhausen disclosed that a “majority of the people in this studio hated it,” referring to the Cybertruck’s futuristic and unconventional design. Their reaction, according to the biography, was one of disbelief and reluctance, with sentiments like, “You can’t be serious,” and a desire to distance themselves from the project due to its perceived peculiarity.
Intriguingly, certain Tesla engineers took covert actions, initiating the design of an alternative version of the electric pickup truck after encountering a mock-up of the original Cybertruck at SpaceX’s showroom in Los Angeles during the summer of 2019. However, the fate of this alternate version remains shrouded in mystery, as neither Elon Musk, Franz von Holzhausen, nor Tesla’s spokesperson provided any comment before the publication of this report.
Von Holzhausen, known for his gentle demeanor in contrast to Musk’s brusqueness, diligently listened to the concerns expressed by his team. He emphasized the significance of garnering support from the team, stating, “If you don’t have buy-in from the people around you, it’s hard to get things done.”
In contrast, Elon Musk displayed less patience, unequivocally dismissing any reservations voiced regarding the Cybertruck. He boldly declared, “I don’t do focus groups,” highlighting his characteristic commitment to his vision.
Instead of making design alterations, Musk articulated his desire for a drivable prototype of the Cybertruck that could be showcased at a Tesla event scheduled for November. This directive, as described by von Holzhausen, necessitated the team’s unrelenting commitment and round-the-clock efforts.
Following the successful demonstration of the Cybertruck at the November 2019 event, Elon Musk even embarked on a date with Grimes, the musician and his partner, in the prototype of the unconventional vehicle.
Elon Musk’s unconventional design for the Cybertruck, conceptualized as a response to the perceived monotony of traditional trucks, was unveiled approximately four years ago. However, the project encountered a series of delays over the past two years. While Musk has announced intentions to commence Cybertruck deliveries within the year, pricing details for the vehicle are yet to be disclosed.
The vehicle’s distinctive design elements, such as its stainless steel exterior susceptible to smudging and its oversized windshield wiper, have spurred extensive debate among those who have placed pre-orders with a $100 deposit for the Cybertruck.
