Stainless Steel Delays Tesla's Cybertruck Release

author: FutureCar Staff    

Tesla's Cybertruck, initially announced by CEO Elon Musk in 2019, has faced numerous delays primarily due to the decision to encase the electric pickup in ultra-hard stainless steel.

The challenge for Tesla lies in molding the dent-resistant steel properly, as the dense material is produced in coils resembling "giant rolls of toilet paper" and has proven difficult to flatten, according to sources familiar with the process.

Combining the difficulty of working with the metal, supply chain issues, and design flaws, Tesla has encountered obstacles in bringing the Cybertruck to fruition. Despite its introduction in 2019, the automaker only recently produced its first-ever model in July and has consistently missed its stated deadlines.

With just three days left before Musk's latest self-imposed deadline to begin shipping out Cybertrucks, Tesla has now started displaying them in showrooms. Musk acknowledged last month that the company will face "enormous challenges" in increasing production output and turning a profit on the pickups, citing difficulties with new technology.

Unlike other automakers who focus on lightweight vehicles using aluminum, Musk opted for the less malleable and heavier stainless steel for the Cybertruck. Although the stainless steel eliminates the need for a paint job, Tesla plans to put its trucks through a surface finishing process to ensure uniformity.

Tesla executives have emphasized that the stainless steel will make the pickups more durable, stronger, and resistant to corrosion. Musk has even claimed that the Cybertruck is bulletproof, demonstrating its ability to withstand the impact of a submachine gun's "entire drum magazine" and an arrow fired by Joe Rogan.

To meet Tesla's requirements for strength and resistance to corrosion, the company partnered with Luxembourg-based stainless steel maker Aperam to develop a custom alloy. Tesla has filed a request with the Commerce Department to exclude Aperam from tariffs on steel imports, as the company supplies Tesla with stainless steel coil.

Due to the hardness of the material, traditional stamping presses cannot be used to produce body panels, forcing Tesla to rely on laser cutters to shape the metal. The development process also requires caution to ensure that certain chemistry and processing techniques do not affect the appearance of the steel.

While the Cybertruck is expected to be more resistant to minor damages, repairing dents or scrapes could prove challenging. According to Chris Nicholson, a restoration expert for DeLorean Motor cars, one would have to "beat the absolute hell out of it" to cause significant damage. This is reminiscent of DeLorean's last-ever car, which featured an unpainted stainless-steel exterior over 40 years ago.

FutureCar Staff