Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in his latest interview that the company is willing to redesign its upcoming Cybertruck pickup if it sells poorly or fails to comply with the safety requirements in some countries – which seems to be a valid concern.
The unusual truck has spawned countless debates and polarized the fan community with some people adoring it for its boldness and innovation and others slamming it as a complete failure.
The automaker reports “hundreds of thousands” of people interested in buying the truck in the United States, but in Europe, certification agencies may actually put a ban on it because of its design. Stainless-steel plates welded together cannot be designed to deform predictably during a collision, which is a requirement for all modern cars in the EU. Furthermore, reports say its front end shape is a risk factor for the pedestrians, who may be crushed under the wheels. The lacking window wipers and side mirrors are also legitimate concerns – even if on a purely legislative level.
With the above in mind, Elon Musk says he is willing to reconsider his initial launch plans and offer the world a much more traditional-looking, boringly designed truck if his ambitious idea doesn’t take off.