Tesla's next-gen EV will be far more conventional, Musk says

Depending on where you stand regarding Tesla Cybertruck's polarizing, aesthetics – the news out of Tesla's recent Q3 2023 earnings call might either relieve or disappoint you. Elon Musk, the company's ever-vocal CEO, described the next-generation vehicle as way more "conventional" compared to the Cybertruck. He was quick to point out that doesn’t equate to boring, though.

Despite the evident enthusiasm around the electric truck, Musk decided to play a cautious hand. He emphasized the unique complexities of the Cybertruck, which have posed significant production challenges, suggesting a wait of "a year to 18 months" before it becomes a notable revenue driver for the firm.

However, it was the tiny details on Tesla's next-gen platform that caught the attention of many. This forthcoming platform will be the foundation for the $25,000 entry-level EV and the company's robotaxi. The good news for potential buyers and investors? It’s reportedly going to be easier to produce. When probed if the production challenges of the Cybertruck would cast a shadow on this new EV, Musk responded, "The high-volume, low-cost smaller vehicle is actually much more conventional." He further alluded to the company's aspirations to achieve manufacturing efficiency "unheard of in the auto industry."

The design aspect of this next-gen vehicle was also touched upon. Musk's words painted a picture of a car that was "cool, beautiful, yet "utilitarian." For those not fluent in Musk-ese, think less of a 'stop and stare' vehicle and more of a reliable daily workhorse – a vehicle keen on efficiently getting you from point A to point B. However, as is typical of Tesla and its leader, timelines about this vehicle remained shrouded in a veil of mystery.

A little snippet that made its way into the discussion was Tesla's plan for manufacturing this new vehicle. The company reconfirmed its intention to set up shop in the new Giga Mexico plant. Parallel work seems to be underway, with infrastructure, factory design, and the engineering development of the product happening concurrently. And for those who've been keeping tabs on Tesla through biographies, such as Walter Isaacson's take on Musk, the company made no mention of the rumored shift of the initial build location from Mexico to Austin.

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