Photo: Simon H. via Kleinanzeigen.de
Tesla has not opened the Cybertruck orders book in Europe, but you can still buy one if you have enough money to burn. A Cybertruck AWD imported from the US is listed on a classifieds platform in Germany for half a million euros. The seller says the truck has undergone modifications and is now road-legal in Germany.
When Tesla announced the Cybertruck in 2019, it allowed people from around the globe to place a reservation. These included Chinese and European customers. However, in May 2022, it stopped taking orders in these regions. One of the reasons was that local regulations would make it difficult for Tesla to get the Cybertruck road-legal. Both Europe and China favor smaller cars, and the roads and parking spaces are designed to suit these. The sheer size and weight of the Cybertruck would also make it a danger to other drivers and pedestrians.
Things haven't changed now that the Cybertruck has started production and deliveries. Elon Musk recently confirmed that making the Cybertruck road legal in China would be "very difficult." While he hasn't made a similar statement about Europe, I don't see how that would be any different. This made Tesla fans in these regions jealous, as many would've liked to order one. Some already placed a reservation in the early days and are waiting for Tesla to send them an invite. This might never happen, though.
Tesla may not be selling the Cybertruck outside North America, but that didn't stop it from touring the electric pickup truck in China and Europe. The Cybertruck proved quite popular during these events, as shown in social media posts from China. People flocked to the locations where the Cybertruck was on display, showing Tesla how successful the Cybertruck might be in the local market. People think that the same will happen in Europe when the Cybertruck arrives.
We now know that Tesla is planning similar PR events involving the Cybertruck, not only in Europe but also in Japan. Rumors indicate that the electric pickup will be displayed this spring at the Stuttgart Holzgerlingen delivery center, the automaker's largest in Europe. People wondered why Tesla would bring the Cybertruck to Europe if it couldn't sell it there. Well, the Cybertruck proved a valuable marketing tool, driving up brand awareness, and Tesla wants as much of this as possible.
Even though Tesla cannot sell you a Cybertruck in Europe, it doesn't mean you cannot buy one. It's not easy or cheap, but, as they say, when there is a will, there is a way. A Foundation Series Cybertruck AWD is listed on the Kleinanzeigen classifieds platform in Germany for the eye-watering price of 485,000 euros ($522,000). The seller justifies the outrageous price by the costs of the individual homologation required to make the Cybertruck road legal. The electric pickup also needed modifications to allow registration in Germany, raising the price.
I suspect a huge chunk of the price is owed to Tesla, courtesy of the no-resale clause in the Foundation Series sales contract. Tesla wants all the money a Cybertruck owner makes from selling the truck within the first year from delivery, or at least $50,000. Rumor has it that streamer Adin Ross bought his Cybertruck this way for $350,000, including $100,000 to cover the no-resale penalty. Considering the shipping and homologation costs, this makes the Cybertruck offer in Germany a steal.
The sales ad mentions some modifications operated to the Cybertruck to pass the individual homologation in Germany. These included new headlights and front protection, not to mention replacing the charging port to make it compatible with the European Superchargers. Tesla uses a CCS2 port in Europe, like all other EV makers and charging stations.
Things haven't changed now that the Cybertruck has started production and deliveries. Elon Musk recently confirmed that making the Cybertruck road legal in China would be "very difficult." While he hasn't made a similar statement about Europe, I don't see how that would be any different. This made Tesla fans in these regions jealous, as many would've liked to order one. Some already placed a reservation in the early days and are waiting for Tesla to send them an invite. This might never happen, though.
Tesla may not be selling the Cybertruck outside North America, but that didn't stop it from touring the electric pickup truck in China and Europe. The Cybertruck proved quite popular during these events, as shown in social media posts from China. People flocked to the locations where the Cybertruck was on display, showing Tesla how successful the Cybertruck might be in the local market. People think that the same will happen in Europe when the Cybertruck arrives.
We now know that Tesla is planning similar PR events involving the Cybertruck, not only in Europe but also in Japan. Rumors indicate that the electric pickup will be displayed this spring at the Stuttgart Holzgerlingen delivery center, the automaker's largest in Europe. People wondered why Tesla would bring the Cybertruck to Europe if it couldn't sell it there. Well, the Cybertruck proved a valuable marketing tool, driving up brand awareness, and Tesla wants as much of this as possible.
Even though Tesla cannot sell you a Cybertruck in Europe, it doesn't mean you cannot buy one. It's not easy or cheap, but, as they say, when there is a will, there is a way. A Foundation Series Cybertruck AWD is listed on the Kleinanzeigen classifieds platform in Germany for the eye-watering price of 485,000 euros ($522,000). The seller justifies the outrageous price by the costs of the individual homologation required to make the Cybertruck road legal. The electric pickup also needed modifications to allow registration in Germany, raising the price.
I suspect a huge chunk of the price is owed to Tesla, courtesy of the no-resale clause in the Foundation Series sales contract. Tesla wants all the money a Cybertruck owner makes from selling the truck within the first year from delivery, or at least $50,000. Rumor has it that streamer Adin Ross bought his Cybertruck this way for $350,000, including $100,000 to cover the no-resale penalty. Considering the shipping and homologation costs, this makes the Cybertruck offer in Germany a steal.
The sales ad mentions some modifications operated to the Cybertruck to pass the individual homologation in Germany. These included new headlights and front protection, not to mention replacing the charging port to make it compatible with the European Superchargers. Tesla uses a CCS2 port in Europe, like all other EV makers and charging stations.
@adinross bought his from some guy in NA for 350k including shipping, so doubt they’d get 485
— Ro (@m8nimal) February 7, 2024
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