As Tesla (TSLA) completes final preparations before launching its new Cybertruck into production, its electric vehicle competitors have been busy revealing, producing and delivering new products, trying to draw attention away from the most anticipated EV release in years.
The Cybertruck pickup will be Tesla's first new model since it brought out the Model Y SUV in March 2019. Tesla CEO Elon Musk on April 19 said that his company would deliver the new vehicle in the third quarter of 2023, but whether that meant July, August or September wasn't clear. With July being less than a month away, the EV market will soon have an exciting new product that everyone will be talking about.
Forget Tesla – We’re all-in on this EV stock
In the meantime, Tesla's rivals have been busy trying to get the attention of EV buyers with their new vehicles as well. The Netherlands-based Stellantis (STLA) in April unveiled details on its all-electric 2025 Ram 1500 REV, its first battery electric light-duty pickup truck that will be built in the US, which it says will be available in the fourth quarter of 2024.
General Motors (GM) also in April unveiled its latest supertruck, the 2023 GMC Hummer EV 3X, which has an estimated driving range of 355 miles. GM's website says that reservations are full for the new all-electric truck, but interested individuals can find more information on the website.
Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) looks to challenge Tesla as well, especially with the Model X Plaid SUV, as it in April unveiled its bZ Sport Crossover Concept EV in partnership with Shenzen, China-based BYD (BYDDY) , another Tesla rival. Toyota also teamed with Guangzhou, China-based Guangzhou Automobile Group on its bZ FlexSpace Concept, a family-oriented electric SUV.
Volkswagen Going Retro
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Volkswagen (VWAGY) has big EV plans for the future as well. The German carmaker began marketing its very first vehicle for US consumers in 1950s with the Beetle, or Bug, as many people used to call it. By February 1972, it passed the Ford Model T as the world's best-selling car with over 15 million in sales. The automaker began producing it's second vehicle for US buyers also in the 1950s, the Volkswagen Bus, which really became popular in the 1960s with American hippies.
The VW Bus was often referred to as a hippie van or bus as it was used to transport groups of young adults, their camping gear and other supplies to concerts, anti-war rallies and road trips, according to History.com. Phil Patton in "Bug" wrote that when legendary Grateful Dead musician Jerry Garcia died in 1995, Volkswagen honored Jerry with an ad featuring a drawing of a VW Bus with a tear streaming down the front.
Bringing on the VW Buzz
Volkswagen is going retro and bringing back the VW Bus with the unveiling of its electric 2025 VW ID.Buzz, which will feature three rows and seven seats. The vehicle will be about 195 inches long, 78 inches wide and 75 inches tall.
The automaker said that the vehicle will have a 91 kWh battery, but did not say what the range will be. Other details, such as the cost of the vehicle were not listed, and reservations are not being taken for the VW ID.Buzz. Interested individuals may contact dealers to see when vehicles will be available. The vehicle is expected to be delivered sometime in 2024.
