Tesla Has Had No Major Product Success Since JB Straubel Left, Analysis Finds

At a glance

An analysis says Tesla has not had a big hit since co-founder JB Straubel stepped down as CTO in July 2019, a success on the level of the Model 3 and Model Y. The Cybertruck fell short of expectations, and it is still too early to judge the Cybercab, whose production recently started.

Key points

1. 1

   Many people reserved the Cybertruck, but its actual price was about twice what was announced, and its driving range was about half.

2. 2

   An estimate cited in the analysis puts Cybertruck sales at only 70,000 units over three years. This figure has not been independently confirmed.

3. 3

   The Model Y and Megapack were released just before Straubel's departure or in the same month.

4. 4

   It is not certain whether his departure and the weak new products are related. Tesla said he left to devote time to Redwood Materials, a battery recycling company he founded.

Why it matters

It shows whether the product strategy of a leading electric vehicle company is wavering, which helps readers understand Tesla's future.