Elon Musk is down around €700m today after the launch of the company’s new electric pickup truck was marred by an “armour glass” window fail.
Shares in the firm fell after two of the new Cybertruck’s windows were smashed during a demonstration of how strong they are.
After the truck was unveiled in California, Mr Musk told the audience: “You want a truck that's really tough, not fake tough.”
“You want a truck you can take a sledgehammer to. A truck that won't scratch, that doesn't dent.”
The Tesla Cybertruck on stage in California, 22-11-2019. Image: Robert Hanashiro/Imagn Content ServicesThe truck was not damaged when Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen hit the door with a sledgehammer; however, the window demonstration was not so successful.
After he smashed the first one by throwing a metal ball at it, Mr Musk was heard to say, “oh my f****** God.”
“Maybe that was little too hard,” he added.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduces the Cybertruck, 21-11-2019. Image: AP Photo/Ringo HW ChiuHe admitted there was room for improvement in the design, and said the company would fix the problem in the coming months.
He also share footage of the windows holding firm during a test carried out before the launch
Franz throws steel ball at Cybertruck window right before launch. Guess we have some improvements to make before production haha. pic.twitter.com/eB0o4tlPoz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 23, 2019
The ‘Cybertruck’ aims to take a slice of America’s most lucrative car market – with production due to begin in late 2021.
Built to function on Earth or Mars, the vehicle has the "utility of a truck and the performance of a sports car.”
It can tow up to 14,000lbs and can accelerate from 0 to 95kph in 6.5 seconds.
Tesla stocks fell by more than 6% following the launch – cutting Mr Musk's net worth by $768m (€697m) in a single day.
With a bank balance of around $23.6bn (€21.4bn), he remains the 41st richest person in the world according to Forbes magazine.
