No Priority Given to Affluent Owners, Says Tesla Engineer
Tesla Inc. has refuted allegations that it is prioritizing affluent owners of high-end Cybertruck variants for installation of the off-road light bar. According to Tesla engineer Wes Morrill, the company is ramping up light bar production, and installations will be done in the order of vehicle production.
Background
An individual recently expressed concern on a social media platform that Tesla seemed to be prioritizing light bar installations for affluent community members over the general public. The individual noted that popular YouTuber Kyle Conner, a known car enthusiast, had received the light bar, while others had not.
Response from Tesla Engineer
Wes Morrill responded to the allegations, stating that while the company is trying to group installations by service center for efficiency, some installations may occur out of order. Morrill also pointed out that Kyle Conner, the YouTuber in question, had received his Cybertruck early, with a low vehicle identification number (VIN) of 0001xx.
“We’re ramping up light bar production and should be reaching out in roughly production order. They are trying to opportunistically group installs by service center for efficiency, so some installs will happen out of order,” Morrill said.
The Importance of the Cybertruck Lightbar
The Cybertruck Lightbar is an accessory designed to increase visibility when driving off-road. While all Foundation Series Cyberbeast variant owners are eligible to receive the light bar, installations have only recently begun.
Cybertruck Sales and Deliveries
Tesla began delivering the first Cybertrucks to customers in the US in late November 2023. The vehicle starts at nearly $100,000 for the limited-edition Foundation series Cybertruck and at about $80,000 for the non-foundation series. According to data from Kelley Blue Book, Tesla sold 16,692 Cybertrucks in the third quarter, making it the third best-selling electric vehicle in the US behind Tesla’s Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tesla has stated that light bar installations for Cybertruck owners will be done in the order of vehicle production, with no preference given to affluent owners. As the company ramps up light bar production, more owners can expect to receive the accessory in the coming weeks and months.