Now, a Chinese carmaker presents a pickup truck concept that cuts off all the sharp edges of the Cybertruck, yet keeps the sci-fi looks.
The Dongfeng concept still looks like it has, just sped off a UFO that had landed on Earth, just like the Cybertruck. It's got a front end that looks like the rear end, just like the Cybertruck. It's got a tent, just like the Cybertruck, but it is lacking the stainless steel body. Not many vehicles out there can pull that off.
At the front, there is an LED strip similar to what the Cybertruck has, but the Donfeng's is positioned higher. The Chinese model must have also found inspiration in other models, such as those produced by Rolls-Royce, for instance, because it sports suicide doors.
Aerodynamic wheel covers are also on the menu, and we can't help wondering where this copycat got the idea from. What looks like an LED strip at the rear is actually a display that shows messages to other motorists and pedestrians.
The cabin also looks familiar. There is a rectangular steering wheel, while a display stretches almost from pillar to pillar along the dashboard. The white lower section that the Tesla customers aren't exactly fond of is also present on board the Chinese concept.
However, knowing that the Chinese are trying to roll out affordable cars to offset the models available on the global market, it might just be cheaper than the Cybertruck, which starts at $69,990, which is way more than the original advertised price tag that Elon Musk mentioned almost five years ago: $39,900.
To battle the Cybertruck, the Donfeng pickup truck will have to be sold outside China, because Tesla won't make it to its largest market with the model due to design and weight regulations. That is probably why they are trying to come up with variations.
In China, as well as in the European Union, the Cybertruck is too heavy to comply with the regulations that apply to passenger cars and requires a different driver's license.
The Chinese Cybertruck is underpinned by a skateboard EV platform. The automaker claims that the EV sports a powertrain that generates an impressive 1,305 horsepower, which is way above what Tesla's tri-motor Cyberbeast can do: 845 horsepower. Dongfeng has not disclosed any performance figures yet.
There is a single photo of the pickup truck concept on the carmaker's official website. There are, though, several others on social media, showing much of the design.