Despite Tesla’s claim that the Cybertruck is “bulletproof” and made out of an “exoskeleton,” the electric vehicle’s build is actually much closer to a traditional unibody system rather than an “exoskeleton.” Most of the visible body parts, which would be part of the chassis in an exoskeleton build, are actually trims attached to the body.
Furthermore, while Tesla touts its “ultra-hard stainless steel exoskeleton,” it mostly uses stainless steel on external parts, while many parts of the frame are made of aluminum.
So they took one of the 4-door frames, bolted a little tail on it and slapped some refrigerator panels on it. Cool. This is the greatest automotive victory in the history of the world.
Also it’s not like we’ve been building “ultra-hard” cars for decades before figuring out that it’s actually a terrible idea.
But leaning from the mistakes of the past was never in his playbook.
Not sure if thats what you meant, but yeah, cars used to be made “stronger”, until it was realised that they are more fatal that way. Theres a reason most modern cars crumble up quickly in an accident, and that is because the crumbling absorbs energy from the impact, helping the vehicle slow down and stop without damaging the passenger. If the car didnt crumble, the energy has to go somewhere else - this could go to the passenger, flinging them through their window.
… many of the body/trim panels… are glued onto the frame.
Not even fasteners of some kind.
Just glue.
Glue which keeps failing so often that basically all cybertrucks have been recalled because … the body / trim panels will fly off on the highway, like an uncovered/unsecured truck load.
Nothing wrong with the -right- adhesive being used. The problem isn’t “glue”, it’s incompetence.
Glue and steel? I think not
I love how the other photo from the article shows how clean the split is.
This image is a good illustration for future businesses that buy Cybertrucks to advertise on:
Be sure to fit the whole business name to the left side of the break-in-half line.
