The ongoing clash of words between Elon Musk and Donald Trump may seem like just another celebrity beef, but for those anxiously waiting for their chance to get into their Tesla Cybertruck, this public exchange could actually put some money back into your pocket. Here’s why this political drama is relevant for electric vehicle shoppers and what you need to know before you invest in one of Tesla's futuristic trucks.
The Story: Musk and Trump's Rising Enmity
Musk and Trump have a tumultuous history, so it is not surprising that tensions continue to rise. Musk was a member of Trump's business councils when Trump was president, but he has since criticized Trump’s policies on social media after distancing himself from Trump’s administration. Recently, tensions turned into direct shots when Trump, at a campaign rally, took cheap shots at electric vehicles saying EVs are “overpriced golf carts”, and making fun of the federal subsidies for EVs. Trump did not stop there. He took a jab at Musk himself by deriding his leadership at Tesla and SpaceX.
As you can expect, Musk was not going to take shots without firing back. Musk immediately took to X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) to defend the electric vehicle industry and dismiss Trump as “misinformed”. But beyond social media firepower, there is a question moving forward; will they feud and influence Tesla pricing strategy and launch of the highly anticipated Cybertruck?
Whatever it Takes to Deliver
Tesla’s pricing has never been exactly "normal" compared to traditional automakers. Traditional automakers offer vehicles at the price set by the manufacturer, and that is generally the end of the story. Meanwhile, Tesla never hesitates to discount prices and adjust them based on demand, production costs, and sometimes factors such as governmental subsidies. Things have changed recently and as Trump’s anti-EV rhetoric continues to spread, it's possible that Tesla has fears of the impact of Trump’s EV propaganda on Cybertruck demand, particularly since many of Trump’s staunchest supporters buy traditional trucks.
This is no mere speculation. Tesla has typically operated under a system where it quietly and subtly engages in practice dealership practices whenever it is faced with dwindling demand or a cloud of bad press. In the past few years, Tesla has used free Supercharging miles, free upgrades to higher specifications, and even stealth price drops during demand problems. Because the Cybertruck stands to appeal to a segment that may still be open to opinion change due to Trump’s anti-EV agenda, it is fair to consider that Tesla may already have a bunch of marketing tricks also lined up to retain reservations before a political environment devastates demand.
What Kinds of Offers or Discounts Might Be Coming?
While Tesla has yet to formally announce price cuts for the Cybertruck, there have been reports of some reservation holders being contacted by Tesla or by industry insiders who will be in possession of discounted perks.
These could include Free or discounted supercharging Tesla has used free Supercharging miles as an incentive in the past for short periods of time, and with some reservation holders being uncertainty of whether or not to buy, it would not be surprising if they used this tactic to acquire additional sales.
More expedited timelines for delivery for earlier reservation holders: Some of the buyers who ordered years ago, are now seeing their timelines moving forward greater than what they expected as Tesla attempts to process sales more quickly and collect orders in volume.
Value added upgrades at less cost: The high-end "foundation series" Cybertruck comes with premium standard features, but they might discount various accessories they might incorporate or upgrade with.
Better financing options: Tesla may partner with lenders and/or offer lower rates, better conditions, or incentives for buyers that were uncertain.
While these perks may not be advertised publicly, you should make sure your inbox is available to Tesla as a reservation holder that might also reach out with an opportunity for a limited-time invitation you'll want to take up.
The Broader Perspective: The Political Influence on the Electric Vehicle Market
This wasn't simply Musk and Trump mocking each other. Their altercation puts the distinct political separation of the United States auto space into stark relief. Electric vehicles are charged, politically, with certain conservatives considering the vehicles as government intrusion or an extravagant luxury good; meanwhile many progressives view EVs as fuel that can stave off climate change and reduce fossil fuel reliance.
For Tesla this means there's a unique conundrum. The Cybertruck aims to exist as an alternative for typical truck buyers who may have been traditionally sceptical about an electric vehicle. If Trump's rhetoric proves even somewhat successful in turning a few truck buyers away, and many would likely do it because of political views, Tesla will have to convince these truck buyers it's merely the longer-term direction for $60,000+ trucks, in a greater assemblage of products labelled trucks. This means more marketing, more financed deals, more videos and memes showing struggling machines being left in the past, as well as influencers who can potentially engage the rift in a division.
Should You Hold Out for a Better Offer?
If you're still uncertain on placing an order for a Cybertruck, here is the cold reality: Tesla's pricing and incentives can fluctuate at any moment, and discounts are not guaranteed to last either. But if the past can tell us anything, the company has definitely changed its tune about marketing based on changing market conditions. This means that if political pressures increase, Tesla will likely present increasingly appealing offers to entice the interest of buyers.
For the moment, it is smart to stay in a wait and see mode. Follow Tesla's official communications, monitor the reservation holder forums, and be ready to jump if a better deal appears before you. Accordingly, whether you are a red-blooded Musk follower, a Trumpian rightan to your core, or just an electric truck lover, at the end of the day, this feud may save you some money - and who doesn't like that?
Final Thoughts
In the end, the Musk-Trump rivalry is more than just fun and games—it is an indicator of the way in which politics and technology can become intertwined in the 21st-century. For those waiting for Cybertrucks, the Musk-Trump feud may end up being the surprise endpoint of the path to the better deal you've been waiting for. If you've been thinking about purchasing one of Tesla's futuristic pickups, now may be the time to finally pull the trigger. When two billionaires are battling it out, the rest of us can sometimes win from the consequences.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops
