Tesla’s latest Cybertruck deliveries have left some customers surprised and frustrated as their brand-new vehicles arrive covered in mud and filled with debris. The condition of these trucks, which cost close to $100,000, has led to a wave of complaints about the carmaker’s quality control.
Tesla Delivers Cybertrucks Dirty and Muddy
Over the past year, Tesla has finally begun shipping its Cybertruck to customers across the United States after an endless series of delays. But the carmaker might have wished it had waited a few hours to empty the six-figure trucks it was dropping off to eager buyers of their unwanted goods.
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (via Quartz) states that several Cybertruck owners have complained about receiving their electric pickup trucks with debris inside the cabin and dirt on the exterior.
Rushed Deliveries Result in Muddy Fingerprints on Panels
Reportedly, in its haste to push the massive trucks out the door, Tesla left muddy fingerprints across the stainless steel body panels, protective film on the windows and bodywork:
"In recent months, more than two dozen Cybertruck owners have posted on social media about Tesla delivering them dirty trucks, with users noting muddy floors and dusty interiors, as well as sticky residue and unsightly spots on the outer panels.
Others have posted photos of unusual white streaks in the truck bed and a hazy coating on the windshield that obstructs the view."
One Cybertruck owner WSJ spoke with said his vehicle arrived in April in a less-than-desirable condition, so the grimy appearance is nothing new. It appears that this practice is still in use today but with slight variations depending on the location of the truck rental.
Challenges of Cleaning Tesla's Stainless-Steel Cybertruck
The Wall Street Journal states that this is because of the method by which Tesla delivers its vehicles to customers. The company has a network of distribution centers spread out around the nation where new cars are cleaned and prepared for their owners. This procedure is said to be especially demanding for the Cybertruck:
"The pressure to get the trucks quickly into customers’ hands is taxing some delivery centers, where staffing is thin and there has been confusion over how to clean the novel truck, the ex-employees say.
Additionally, some pickups arrive with parts covered in dust and dirt from the factory site, where construction is under way to expand the plant, they said. And the truck’s unique design makes it trickier and more time-consuming to clean, in part because the stainless-steel surface tends to easily attract spots and fingerprints.
Each Cybertruck took at least two hours to fully detail, compared with 45 minutes for Tesla’s bestselling Model Y SUV, according to one of the former employees."
Tesla Owners Find Trash in New Cybertrucks
Yet, the current condition of the Cybertrucks that have been delivered extends beyond a few neglected washes. In fact, some of the trucks have even been transferred to their new owners with debris from the factory or delivery locations still inside.
Empty Red Bull cans have been discovered in door cubbies, according to Futurism, and other trucks seem like they were "taken for a joyride before delivery," the site claims.
Since Tesla slashed the price of its base model, this is obviously not the kind of service you'd expect from a truck that costs close to $100,000.