Tesla's unconventional Cybertruck camouflage fails

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【Summary】Tesla's upcoming Cybertruck has been spotted in the wild, disguised as a Ford F-150 and a Toyota Tundra. Some speculate that Tesla is trying to keep the vehicle unnoticed until its official launch, while others think they may be testing wraps for customization options. It could also be a joke to troll rival pickup designs, as Elon Musk has previously criticized them as "boring." The disguises, however, do little to hide the Cybertruck's unique shape.

FutureCar Staff Sep 02, 2023 4:21 PM PT

Tesla's unconventional Cybertruck camouflage fails

Tesla's highly anticipated Cybertruck electric pickup is set to be launched in September, but the futuristic vehicle has already been spotted in public despite attempts to disguise it. In a peculiar incident, a broken-down Cybertruck was seen poorly hidden under a Ford F-150 wrap. Now, the Cybertruck has been sighted masquerading as a Toyota Tundra, leaving many wondering about the motive behind these disguises.

Previously, footage of the Cybertruck had emerged showing it wrapped in camouflage. However, Tesla seems to have realized that military-style camouflage is not the most effective way to blend in with an urban environment. Instead, the company has resorted to disguising the pickup as other vehicles, although these attempts have not fooled anyone.

First, the broken-down Cybertruck was spotted disguised as an F-150, and now videos posted in the Cybertruck Owner's Club's forum show the vehicle impersonating a Toyota Tundra, one of the best-selling pickups in the US.

There is speculation about the purpose behind these disguises. It is possible that Tesla is trying to hide the Cybertruck until its official launch, but the wraps do little to conceal the vehicle's distinctive and unconventional shape.

Another theory is that Tesla is testing these wraps with the intention of offering them in the market. Since the Cybertruck will only be available with its original stainless steel finish, wraps could be the only way for customers to customize their vehicles. While third-party companies are expected to offer wrap options, Tesla might also be planning to provide its own. This move would be less surprising than the introduction of a Cybertruck cat tray.

Alternatively, this could simply be a playful joke aimed at trolling Tesla's rivals, which aligns with Elon Musk's sense of humor. The Tesla CEO has criticized the designs of other pickups, labeling them as "boring" and lacking imagination. He has stated that the industry's lack of creativity inspired him to develop the Cybertruck, which draws inspiration from science fiction. Wrapping the Cybertruck to resemble other vehicles could be a way of highlighting the ordinary and mundane appearance of its competitors.