The Tesla Cybertruck is, quite possibly, the most misunderstood vehicle since the Pontiac Aztek, except unlike the Aztek, the Cybertruck is faster than a 911, tougher than a Silverado, and looks like it was forged in a dystopian sci-fi fever dream. It was supposed to be the future. And on a good day, when the build quality is good, it absolutely is. But the Cybertruck hasn’t just become a conversation piece or a marvel of engineering; it’s become a lightning rod in a country too busy arguing to appreciate the machine itself. If you can find one that isn’t falling apart at the seams, the Cybertruck is legitimately impressive. The tri-motor "Cyberbeast" version hits 60 mph in under 3 seconds and tows boats without breaking a sweat. Whisper-Quiet But Carry a Big Stick It’s whisper-quiet on the highway, absurdly powerful off it, and wraps its driver in stainless steel like some post-apocalyptic chariot. It redefines what a truck can be. But that all hinges on a simple “if”: if it’s built properly. Sadly, that’s a big if. Tesla’s build quality continues to echo the worst days of American manufacturing misaligned panels, squeaky trim, glue where there should be welds. And the kicker? It’s not just a Tesla problem anymore. Like GM and Ford, quality control has taken a back seat to volume, velocity, and viral marketing. Tesla’s Addition To The Economy As of the end of 2024, Tesla employed approximately 125,665 individuals globally. This marked a 10.54% decrease from the previous year, reflecting adjustments in response to market dynamics. ​ Tesla's operations in California have had a substantial economic impact. Between 2018 and 2021, the company's activities contributed $16.6 billion in economic activity, averaging $44.4 million injected into the state's economy daily. ​ Tesla's Gigafactory in Texas has been a significant economic driver. By the end of 2022, the facility supported approximately 15,000 jobs in the state, contributing $2.1 billion in total sales activity in Travis County. Still, what makes the Cybertruck uniquely volatile isn’t the craftsmanship, or lack thereof, but what it has come to represent. The truck is no longer just a vehicle. It’s a badge. A battle flag. A statement. In 2025 America, to drive a Cybertruck is to announce, willingly or not, where you stand on Elon Musk. One frustrated owner recently took to Facebook with a plea: "Tesla has over 100k employees. You’re not a fan of one person working there. Elon’s not the one bolting my Cybertruck together, yet here you are, taking it out on the hardworking folks at Tesla Service centers. Elon Musk is literally protected by Secret Service. What is your goal?" One commenter, Jim King, didn’t pull punches: “Ask the Tesla board what their goal is… Musk has been the one working relentlessly to alienate a large share of the Tesla customer base.” Jeremy van Hagen had this to say: “Cybertrucks are NOT bolted together – they’re stuck together with glue.” Meanwhile, Lars Kyhnau Hansen upped the stakes: “The goal is to bankrupt Tesla so that people can work somewhere else. It will be better for them and the world.” Of course, not everyone joined the mob. Xtian Merck fired back with: “You wanna bankrupt a company because you don’t like the CEO? What about the other companies in the world that have CEOs that do terrible things? None of them matter because they aren’t Elon?” His defense may not have changed many minds, but it did lay bare the real issue here, nobody’s talking about the truck anymore. The conversation around the Cybertruck has evolved beyond engineering and aesthetics and into a referendum on one man, a man who, as the original post pointed out, isn’t even the one bolting or gluing them together. Many Cybertruck owners have fallen in love with the vehicle and would happily buy it again, but despite this, people who don’t own the vehicle have influenced people to not even consider it. But even setting aside Musk’s influence and Tesla’s workforce contributions, owning a Cybertruck comes with its own set of unusual financial realities that some prospective buyers might not anticipate. The true cost of Cybertruck ownership can be unexpectedly high over a five-year period—not just due to its sticker price, but because of insurance premiums, maintenance quirks, and depreciation that doesn't always follow the usual EV curve. If you’re thinking about buying a Cybertruck or are just curious how the numbers stack up, you might want to read this detailed cost breakdown: "I Break Down the Real Cost of Tesla Cybertruck Ownership Over 5 Years – Be Prepared to Be Scared, It's That Way". It may suddenly change how you view the truck’s long-term value. The Average Tesla Owner's Income The average Tesla owner in 2025 has a household income of approximately $144,341, significantly higher than the U.S. median. Notably, 97% of Tesla owners own their homes, with a median home value exceeding $500,000, reflecting the brand's appeal to financially established individuals. ​ Tesla ownership skews male, with about 74% of owners identifying as male. The median age of a Tesla owner is 48, aligning with Generation X. Model S owners tend to be older, with a median age of 53, while Model Y owners are slightly younger, averaging 48 years. ​ A significant portion of Tesla owners hold advanced degrees, with over one-third possessing a master's or doctoral degree. Common professions among Tesla owners include engineers, operations managers, and software engineers, indicating a strong representation of technically inclined individuals. The fallout? Some owners are being harassed. Their trucks were vandalized. Scratched. Dented. Plug cables yanked. And in a society where disagreement too often turns into destruction, the truck has become a rolling target. Not because it’s ugly (though some think so), but because it means something. And meaning, in this age of social media gladiators and bad-faith discourse, is a dangerous thing. Rivian Enters The EV Field And yet, in the midst of all this chaos, there’s Rivian, the quiet counterpoint. The R1T isn’t flashy, but it works. It delivers consistent build quality, thoughtful design, and the same electric muscle without the culture war. Rivian customers don’t return to their trucks to find them keyed or spat on. They don’t argue in the Whole Foods parking lot. They just drive. Quiet competence is winning, one defected Tesla customer at a time. The Cybertruck is a paradox and a slight parody of society. It’s both revolutionary and regressive. A truck that could change the world, if only it could get out of its own way. Or rather, if the world could separate the metal from the man. Until then, every Cybertruck will roll down the road carrying more than just a battery pack. It carries a nation’s fragmented conversation about tech, politics, wealth, identity, and yes, even glue. As a Cybertruck owner, have you faced harassment over owning the vehicle? If so, how did you handle it, and do you think it’s fair? Leave a comment down below with your thoughts. Image Source: Pexel, Facebook Page (teslacybertruckflorida) used under Fair Use rule. 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.