Elon Musk: Legalizing Tesla’s Cybertruck in China Could Be a Tough Road

The Cybertruck, launched by Tesla late last year, has a sharp, angular design that resembles a folded piece of paper. Even before its release, the Cybertruck provoked pedestrian safety concerns. This is probably why driving a Cybertruck on European and Chinese roads might be challenging.

One Chinese person posted on X, a platform formerly known as Twitter, on the 13th, expressing excitement over the possibility that the Cybertruck might be displayed in China for store exhibitions. The individual, part of a group chat with about 500 members who have pre-ordered the Cybertruck in China, shared their anticipation of potentially seeing the vehicle in person. People online expressed confidence in Tesla’s likelihood of showcasing the Cybertruck in China, similar to their display of the Optimus. They also noted the rarity of hearing Chinese people speak negatively about the Cybertruck.

In response to this post, Elon Musk acknowledged that the process of legalizing the Cybertruck for road use could be complicated. However, he mentioned the possibility of shipping some prototypes for store display.

With Musk’s statement, Chinese people are hopeful about seeing the Cybertruck in person, but they also became aware that it won’t be easy for Tesla’s Cybertruck to enter the market.

The reason for the difficulty in legalizing Cybertruck in China has not yet been disclosed. However, Musk’s acknowledgment suggests that getting permission to drive on the road won’t be easy in China. It is thought to be similar to the situation in Europe, where it’s difficult to certify the vehicle’s sturdy material and safety in collisions.

Tesla, an American company, and BYD, a Chinese company, fiercely compete in the Chinese market. The Chinese government is unlikely to give way to Tesla easily. Tesla maintained its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer based on sales volume in 2023, but BYD outpaced Tesla in the last quarter. Many experts predict China will become the world’s largest electric vehicle market in 2024.