Earlier this week, a car auction set a new record for popularity, culminating in the sale of a Tesla Cybertruck for $244,000 to a Porsche dealer. Additional details have emerged regarding the seller and the reasons behind the sale.
However, what’s particularly intriguing is that Ford also acquired a Cybertruck for a similar sum and is currently conducting tests at its proving grounds near Detroit.
Despite certain disparities between Tesla’s promises and the actual delivery, the Tesla Cybertruck remains the most groundbreaking model ever produced in the auto industry.
Consequently, it has become a prime target for economic espionage, with numerous car manufacturers eager to dissect it and extract valuable insights. Yet, obtaining a Cybertruck has proven challenging due to Tesla’s no-resale clause, which prohibits owners from reselling the vehicle.
Nevertheless, reselling the Cybertruck is not entirely impossible. While owners may not profit directly from the sale, creative workarounds have emerged. One method involves leasing the truck for the specified amount instead of outright selling it. After a year, the lessee gains full ownership without incurring additional costs, bypassing Tesla’s restrictions.
Another approach entails selling the Cybertruck to a third party and remitting the minimum due to Tesla, which is $50,000. Once this payment is made, the truck is unburdened and can be freely resold.
It appears that the Cybertruck auctioned earlier for $244,000 followed this route, having been purchased for $210,000 from the original owner by GimetheVIN, as confirmed by John Clay Wolfe, the company’s owner.
Wolfe acknowledged that this was not the first Cybertruck his company had purchased and hinted at future acquisitions. Another Cybertruck was discreetly sold by his company the day before the auction ended.
Although the buyer remains unknown, evidence suggests that a Tesla Cybertruck was recently observed charging at Ford’s proving grounds near Detroit.
Speculation suggests that Ford acquired it for $250,000 and intends to conduct extensive testing. Elon Musk himself responded to the news, indicating that the price paid was deemed “worth it.”
With the Cybertruck acquired by a Porsche dealer at the auction, it’s reasonable to assume that various automakers are actively pursuing Cybertrucks for reverse-engineering purposes.
Elon Musk is undoubtedly cognizant of this, particularly as he believes Porsche still lags in electric vehicle technology. Consequently, Musk anticipates that Porsche will discover numerous technological advancements upon dissecting the Cybertruck.
However, it remains uncertain whether Tesla will pursue legal action against the original owners of these Cybertrucks. Failure to enforce the no-resale clause could undermine Tesla’s reputation and render it ineffective.
Therefore, while fines may be incurred by owners, the potential consequences extend beyond mere monetary penalties, potentially impacting their ability to purchase future Tesla vehicles.
