Ford F-150 Favored to Beat Tesla Truck in Strength Rematch
By Liev Jackson Blog
Last week, Elon Musk's Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck, the electric vehicle maker's initial foray into the pickup truck arena, an automobile segment long dominated by traditional internal combustion engines (ICE).
Elon Musk's Tesla is open to proving its Cybertruck can out-tug the Ford F-150. (Image: CNBC)
As is often the case with new product launches by California-based companies pitching next generation technology, of which Tesla is one, the Cybertruck reveal featured a fair amount of pomp and circumstance. There was the now infamous gaffe where, in front of Musk, another Tesla executive tested the new truck's supposedly shatterproof windows with a metal ball only to see the windows crack.
Beyond that, Tesla showed a video pitting the Cybertruck in a tug-of-war contest against the Ford F-150, one of the most popular pickups in the US. It was a Tesla event, so the video showed the Cybertruck topping its Ford rival in the feat of strength.
With up to 3,500 pounds of payload capacity and adjustable air suspension, Cybertruck is the most powerful tool we have ever built, engineered with 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage — including a magic tonneau cover that is strong enough to stand on," according to Tesla.
Ford is taking exception to the Tesla video and wants a rematch. Bettors can get in on the action, should they desire.
F-150 Favored
MyBookie.ag, which is "legally licensed by the Government & Laws of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles," according to its website, is offering bettors a chance to invest in the Ford/Tesla tussle.
As of Friday morning, Mybookie has the F-150 favored at -120 over the new Tesla truck. That means a bettor needs to wager $120 to win $100. The offshore sportsbook installed the Cybertruck at +100, meaning a $100 wager returns $100.
What's interesting about the F-150 being favored in a potential rematch of the trucks is that Cybertruck's towing capacity, maximum payload, and exterior storage space – the first two of which would be highly relevant in a tug-of-war – top those of the Ford vehicle.
However, noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared dubious at the prospects of the Tesla truck out-tugging its Ford counterpart.
But if the @Ford F-150 is RWD **with no payload** then weight on the Rear Axle is greatly reduced, offering only mild traction for the Tesla to overcome. This contest is more about the Physics of Friction than Engine Power," said deGrasse Tyson in a tweet the day after the Cybertruck reveal.
No Firm Date
Mybookie is taking bets on the Ford/Tesla showdown until Dec. 4, though the two automakers haven't pinned down a specific data for a rematch.
The tug-of-war sequel may not happen, but Musk appears enthusiastic about proving the might of his new vehicle. Either way, this certainly qualifies as one of the wackier things bettors can have action on.
All this to prove a point about a vehicle that consumers can't yet buy. Cybertruck is expected to be available to buyers in late 2021 and some auto industry observers believe Ford could have an electric version of the F-150 on the market by then, too.