Elon Musk’s futuristic new Cybertruck won’t be available until 2021 — but it’s already smashing into things.
The Tesla CEO ran over what appears to be a traffic pylon with a prototype of his steel-sheathed pickup truck over the weekend, video obtained by TMZ shows. The impact made a thump before an apparently oblivious Musk drove off into the distance, according to the footage.
The incident took place while Musk was leaving the parking lot of Nobu in Malibu Saturday night — a day after a Los Angeles jury found he did not defame British cave explorer Vernon Unsworth by calling him a “pedo guy” in a 2018 Twitter tirade.
According to TMZ, the valets at Nobu decided to leave the unusual-looking electric car in the front of the parking lot, where it turned heads. Diners snapped photos of the prototype, and Musk emerged at one point with the actor Edward Norton for a closer look at the truck, which appeared to lack rearview mirrors.
The Cybertruck’s launch on Nov. 21 became a smash hit on social media after Tesla’s chief designer shattered the Cybertruck’s “armor glass” windows minutes after Musk claimed its body was “bulletproof.”
“Oh my f—ing God,” the red-faced Tesla CEO could be heard muttering onstage immediately afterward. “Well, maybe that was a little too hard.”
The humiliating unveil appears to have done little to harm preorders, however, which Musk said hit 250,000 just days later. Preorders cost $100 but can be refunded.
Tesla is not expected to get close to producing the Cybertruck until late 2021. The automaker plans to offer three models starting at $39,900.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Musk’s run-in with the pylon.
Musk also took to Twitter Saturday to thank fans for their input on the polarizing pickup, which has been criticized and praised for its angular design.
“Huge thanks to everyone who contributed ideas to Cybertruck. It’s better because of you!” he tweeted, adding three red heart emojis.