The Cybertruck has finally arrived, and as expected, it’s causing just as much of a spectacle on the road as its creator does online. But instead of ushering in an era of futuristic trucking, it seems we’ve entered a new chapter of automotive tribalism, one where a stainless steel wedge is enough to elicit airborne saliva from Brooklyn balconies. A Facebook post from the Cybertruck Owners Only group, written by Md Tawhidul Islam, captures the bizarre state of affairs: Cybertruck Hate is Real Yesterday, I was driving my Cybertruck down 7th Ave in Brooklyn when, out of nowhere, I noticed spit on my windshield—clearly from one of the buildings above. It’s wild how some people have so much hate for a vehicle that they feel the need to act like this. You don’t have to like the Cybertruck, but spitting on someone’s car? That’s just pathetic. Stay classy, Brooklyn. #Cybertruck #NYC #EVHate And just like that, the Cybertruck has become the most divisive vehicle on the road. You can’t make this stuff up. Elon’s Grand Cybertruck Experiment The Cybertruck is Elon Musk’s personal declaration of war against conventional automotive design. A DeLorean on stilts, an angular fever dream of a moon rover, a rolling provocation. Musk has never been one to do things quietly, and the Cybertruck is his attempt to redefine what a truck should be. Forget aerodynamics, forget panel gaps, forget ergonomics, this is an aesthetic manifesto, a rolling middle finger to tradition. But unlike Tesla’s earlier hits, like the Model S rewriting the performance car rulebook or the Model Y making EVs mainstream, the Cybertruck feels less like a workhorse and more like a social experiment. It’s a test to see how much customers will endure in the name of standing out. And from early reports, the answer is “quite a lot.” Stiff steering, spotty fit and finish, and a windshield wiper the size of a Louisville Slugger are all part of the package. Cybertruck Owners vs. the Anti-Tesla Brigade With the Cybertruck, Tesla fandom has reached new heights. Owning one isn’t just about having an electric truck, it’s about making a statement, like wearing a Metallica T-shirt to a Beethoven recital. Musk’s fanbase, always ready to defend him bought into this ideology. But the hate is just as intense. The truck has been keyed, vandalized, and now, apparently, spit on. Are we really at the point where people are willing to harass a car? In Brooklyn, of all places, where eccentricity is a currency? The Tesla Cybertruck has sparked numerous controversies since its release: Reports indicate that the Cybertruck has a fire fatality rate significantly higher than the infamous Ford Pinto, with analyses suggesting it's 17 times more likely to be involved in fatal fire incidents. Cybertruck owners have reported instances of public hostility, including verbal abuse and physical threats, due to the vehicle's polarizing design and association with Elon Musk. The vehicle has faced multiple recalls and technical problems, such as sudden power loss leading to accidents, raising questions about its reliability and Tesla's quality control. Marketing First, Utility Second From day one, the Cybertruck was never meant to blend in, it was designed to go viral. The infamous 2019 debut, where its “Armor Glass” shattered on impact, was no accident. That was marketing. Musk understands better than anyone that controversy sells, and the Cybertruck is a stainless steel meme on wheels, tailor-made to dominate headlines and comment sections. That’s not to say it doesn’t have some legitimate merit. It’s tough, its exoskeleton can take a beating, and its electric powertrain delivers serious torque. But as a truck, it’s an enigma. Can it replace an F-150 or Silverado? The payload and towing numbers are respectable, but those angled walls and vault-like bed aren’t exactly practical for your average contractor. Musk’s Distractions and Tesla’s Uncertain Future Meanwhile, Musk himself is busy fighting battles of his own, on Twitter, in courtrooms, and within Tesla itself. The recent news cycle has been dominated by his impulsive decisions, from threatening to ban Apple devices from Tesla factories (a move that lasted about as long as one of his attention spans) to legal headaches surrounding shareholder lawsuits. Tesla’s stock, once an unstoppable rocket, now resembles a weathered carnival ride, and the cracks in Musk’s empire are getting harder to ignore. While he’s distracted by AI startups and bizarre public feuds, his competitors are catching up. The Rivian R1T is a serious electric truck, Ford’s F-150 Lightning is proving practical, and even GM, despite all its corporate lethargy, is finally showing signs of life. The Cybertruck, for all its spectacle, might be arriving just as the EV party is winding down. Future Icon or Overpriced Meme? So where does the Cybertruck go from here? Does it become a cultural icon, like the original Hummer, a vehicle that was equally absurd yet undeniably cool? Or does it fade into niche territory, a rolling tech bro monument parked outside overpriced coffee shops? One thing is certain: Nobody is ignoring it. Love it or hate it, you will have an opinion on the Cybertruck. It’s not just a truck, it’s a Rorschach test for the modern automotive landscape. If you see a dystopian future where style trumps substance, you’ll scoff. If you see a rebellious middle finger to the status quo, you’ll love it. And if you see a $100,000 meme with panel gaps wide enough to lose your AirPods in, well, you might just be onto something. Either way, if you’re driving one in Brooklyn, consider parking in a garage. Apparently, airborne saliva is now part of the Tesla ownership experience. Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.