If I remember correctly, the Cybertruck was the first EV pickup to be announced. While waiting for release the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian, and Hummer EV were released… maybe more, those are off the top of my head.
They went from 0 competitors in the space at announcement, to being just another EV truck by the time it shipped. People who really wanted an EV pickup weren’t going to wait an unknown amount of time for the Cybertruck when other models were already shipping years earlier.
The Roadster is even worse. It’s been almost 9 years since it was announced. And we’ve had 9 years of other companies knowing Tesla’s goals for the Roadster, and beating them with cars that are on the road today.
It's not cost since they are driving $90K Rams and F150s. I doubt it is politics. Even the design is going to please someone, people bought Azteks after all (Europeans: uglier than a Fiat Multipla). They're not in stealth mode since there are wrapped Cybertrucks, just not advertising electricians and landscapers like those on the F150s.
Are there any HN readers out there who can supply first hand reviews of what it was like as a work truck doing work truck things?