The announcement confirms a Reuters report from earlier this
month and comes as the electric-vehicle maker reported record quarterly revenue
and 2022 deliveries growing more than 50 percent, despite supply chain issues.
Musk, who unveiled the futuristic vehicle in 2019, had
already delayed its production from late 2021 until late 2022.
Tesla will prepare to launch Cybertruck, Semi, and Roadster
as well as its humanoid robot next year, he said.
"We will not be introducing new vehicle models this
year. It would not make any sense because we'll still be parts
constrained," Musk said on a call with analysts.
He said additional products "would then require a bunch
of attention and resources on that increased complexity of the additional
product, resulting in fewer vehicles actually being delivered this year."
Musk said he hopes to produce a quarter million Cybertrucks
annually but achieving this will take time because of a lot of new technology
to be introduced.
"Batteries will probably not be the limiting factor in
Cybertruck production," he said.
"I worry more about like how do we make the Cybertruck
affordable despite having awesome technology," he said.
Earlier in January, Reuters reported Tesla delayed its
Cybertruck production as it changes features and functions in the face of
rising competition in the electric pickup market.
Tesla, which began making electric vehicles with the premium
sedan, Model S, and later introduced a more affordable car, the Model 3, has
yet to launch in the highly profitable pickup truck segment currently dominated
by fuel-guzzling vehicles from US automakers.
Musk tweeted on Tuesday he has been driving the latest
Cybertruck prototype around the new Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, adding:
"It's awesome".
Ford Motor and Rivian Automotive have raced ahead of Tesla
in launching electric pickups. Rivian has started deliveries of its R1T pickup
truck, while Ford is set to start deliveries of its F-150 Lightning electric
pickup in spring this year.
General Motors' Silverado electric pickup, unveiled earlier
this year, will begin production in 2023. -Reuters
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