'Take that Elon Musk:' Ford CEO takes a dig at Tesla's delayed Cybertruck compared to the success of the electric F-150 Lightning
Jim Farley called the F-150 Lightning a "shining light" for the company and dubbed Ford "the leader of all EV pickup trucks" in the US.
Associated Press
- Ford CEO Jim Farley appeared to diss Tesla's Cybertruck during a press conference on Wednesday.
- The F-150 Lightning has gained popularity, while the Cybertruck has been repeatedly delayed.
- Tesla vehicles represent about 75% of the US EV market.
Ford CEO Jim Farley took the opportunity to brag about the company's electric pickup truck, as well as take a playful dig at Tesla during a press conference on Wednesday.
Farley called Ford's new electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning, a "shining light" for the company and dubbed Ford "the leader of all EV pickup trucks in our industry in the United States."
"Take that Elon Musk," he said.
Farley appears to reference Tesla's long-awaited Cybertruck, which was announced in 2019, but has been repeatedly delayed. Most recently, the Tesla CEO said the vehicle will kick off production in 2023.
Since Musk first announced the futuristic pickup truck, other automakers have already filled the market, including Rivian and GMC.
Farley made the playful diss while announcing a deal with DTE Energy that would allow Ford to attribute its electricity supply in Michigan to clean energy. The company advertised the partnership as "The largest renewable energy purchase from a utility in US history."
As of July, Ford has sold nearly 4,500 electric pickup trucks. On Tuesday, Insider's Tim Levin reported that Ford was gearing up to begin accepting new orders for the F-150 Lightning and planned to increase prices for the 2023 model by as much as $8,500.
Last month, Farley told industry analysts during the company's earnings call that he believes Ford is the only company challenging Tesla.
But, while Ford has delivered over 90% more electric cars in 2022 than in the same period the previous year, the traditional automaker still lags far behind Tesla — which owns about 75% of the US market for electric cars.
Though, some experts doubt Tesla will be able to keep its crown. Last year, early Tesla investor and former board member Steve Westly told CNBC that competition was encroaching on the electric-car company from all sides.
It's not the first time that Ford has taken a jab at Tesla. In May, the automaker released an ad that poked fun at Musk.
"Right now, it could seem that the only people who matter are the loudest," a Bryan Cranston voiceover said. "Those who want to tear things down, and then fly away on their own personal spaceships when things get harder."
Musk and Farley have complimented each other in the past. In December, the Ford CEO congratulated Musk after he was named Time's Person of the Year.
—Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) December 13, 2021
Musk has also congratulated Ford on the F-150 Lightning and "embracing an electric future." Though, the CEO has repeatedly expressed frustration at the recognition Ford and other automakers like GM have received from the White House instead of Tesla.