And then there was the rocky rollout: the viral videos of a Cybertruck getting stuck in snow or sand; the numerous recalls (seven since its launch in December 2023), including one related to a faulty accelerator pedal; and Musk’s emergence as a stalwart supporter of Donald Trump and a purveyor of racist, rightwing conspiracies.

After endless hype, similarly endless delays and one cringeworthy incident involving a broken window, Tesla finally began delivering its love-it-or-hate-it Cybertruck on Nov. 30, 2023. The event was