in June that “it’s got to start at less than $50,000—it’s got to be, like, $49,000 starting price max. Ideally less.”
And it’s not just Rivian, which intends to begin production in 2020 at its Illinois plant, in the battery pickup market.and General Motors, eager to protect their perennial dominance in pickup volume, have indicated they have their own plans for electric heavy-duty models—and the factories and supply base to build them. Tesla hasn’t said where its truck will be built, increasing the likelihood that actual production will be later than Musk says....
U.S. sales of full-size pickups, the world’s primary market for such vehicles, surpasses 2 million units annually, and volume leaders Ford, GM and FiatChrysler’s Ram battle to retain buyer loyalty and bragging rights in a space where median prices approach $50,000. Rivian has positioned its vehicle as a premium, lifestyle brand with a $69,000 base price. So where will Tesla fit in?