Tesla Updates Cybertruck Security, Supercharger Access; Highlights American-Made Excellence

Tesla has announced a significant update to its Cybertruck, enhancing towing security and Supercharger accessibility. Concurrently, Tesla is embracing its roots with a campaign underscoring the American-made nature of its vehicles, including the Cybertruck and the Model Y, amidst growing global competition.

Tesla Enhances Cybertruck with New Security Features and Trailer-Friendly Supercharger Access

According to a report by Teslarati, Cybertruck is Tesla's first pickup truck, and the company is still developing a comprehensive set of features that will make it the most secure and robust vehicle on the market today. With that said, the latest addition to the Cybertruck is set to arrive with Tesla Software Update 2024.8.4, which will include a new Trailer Alarm Feature.

The Trailer Alarm system connects the Cybertruck's security system to the trailer by monitoring the connection status of anything hitched to the all-electric pickup. Essentially, the alarm will now sound if the trailer is disconnected or tampered with in any way.

"Your vehicle alarm now also monitors whether your trailer is plugged in to the hitch. The trailer alarm sets and turns off along with your vehicle alarm. You can disable this security feature in your vehicle settings at Towing and Hauling > Trailer Alarm," Not a Tesla App reported this statement.

Along with improving the Cybertruck's security features by incorporating the trailer into the alarm suite, Tesla also assists those who tow by highlighting which Supercharger locations have trailer-friendly stalls.

Wes Morrill, Tesla's Lead Engineer for Cybertruck, recently discussed this feature on X. He stated that the Supercharger team would show which stalls would allow easier access for trucks hauling trailers.

Tesla was planning to build Superchargers with Cybertruck-specific parking spaces, as the vehicle's size was one of the factors the automaker considered when designing future charging stations.

In addition, Tesla first received approval for Cybertruck-specific parking spaces in 2020, following a Supercharger project in Pasadena, California, designed with the truck in mind.

Tesla Celebrates Its American Manufacturing Heritage with Model Y and Cybertruck Campaign

Tesla stands out as the epitome of American manufacturing in the automotive industry. The 2023 American-made Index by Cars.com solidifies this, with the Tesla Model Y leading the pack as the most American-made car of the year. The Model 3, Model X, and Model S follow suit at Nos. 2, 3, and 4. Surprisingly, this fact remains unknown to many car buyers in the United States, with some even arguing the opposite.

Even Jay Leno, the automotive legend, commented on the situation in a YouTube video. In his recent review of the upgraded Tesla Model 3, Leno found it perplexing that people are questioning Tesla's American origin. Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, echoed this sentiment in a CNBC interview, claiming that EVs "don't go far, they cost too much, and they're all going to be made in China."

Tesla has taken a unique approach to address this misconception, launching an intriguing advertising campaign. Photos shared by Tesla North America's official account on X reveal a Model Y placed in a glass container, accompanied by the words "The best-selling car in the world is made in America." Notably, the Model Y is being towed by the Cybertruck, adding a touch of innovation to the campaign.

Tesla Model Y Tops Global Sales, Cybertruck Eyes American-Made Acclaim

Tesla's promotion of the Model Y's sales milestone last year is unsurprising. After all, Tesla critics have long regarded such a feat as impossible. However, according to JATO Dynamics, the Tesla Model Y has become the world's best-selling vehicle, with 1.23 million units sold. The Toyota Rav4 came in second with 1.07 million units sold, while the Toyota Corolla came in third with 1.01 million.

The combination of the Model Y and the Cybertruck is intriguing. While Cars.com has already named the Model Y the most produced American-made vehicle in 2023, Tesla employees believe the Cybertruck will receive similar accolades.

According to Lead Cybertruck Engineer Wes Morrill on X, 90% of the parts for the all-electric pickup truck are sourced from North America. Given that the Cybertruck is manufactured in Giga, Texas, it can rank as high as the Model Y in Cars.com's American-made index.

Photo: u/Kruzat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons