A Tesla owner has sparked a heated debate online after showing off their highly polished Cybertruck, which now resembles a giant mirror.
The Cybertruck, known for its futuristic, angular design and stainless steel body, has been a talking point since Elon Musk’s 2019 debut. With a starting price of US$60,000, the vehicle quickly gained attention for its bold aesthetic and controversial design. Despite facing seven recalls last year, the Cybertruck remains a favourite among Tesla enthusiasts. As of October 2024, industry estimates suggest at least 27,185 Cybertrucks have been sold, making the striking vehicle an increasingly common sight on the roads.
Polished Cybertruck sparks contrasting opinions
First time polishing a cybertruck
byu/addeh1999 inteslamotors
One proud owner took to Reddit to share images of their gleaming Cybertruck after giving it a fresh polish. The Reddit user, who goes by the handle addeh1999, captioned the post, “First time polishing a Cybertruck.” The polished surface turned the vehicle into a reflective mirror, dividing viewers.
While some praised the unique look, others expressed concern about its practicality and safety.
One admirer commented, ” It would look amazing in a natural setting like a forest, the mountains, or a beach. I really like the look and would be super excited to see one in person driving down the road.” Another added, “I don’t hate it, but it just feels wrong.”
However, not everyone was impressed. A commenter remarked, “This shows off the imperfections. Interesting,” while another pointed out, “The body panels are so wavy! I expect them to be flat, considering all they’re doing is putting a crease in them.” A third jokingly said, “Proof you can polish a turd.”
Safety concerns also emerged in the comments. One user asked, “Is it just me, or does that seem unsafe?” Another noted, “Should be illegal. Wouldn’t this blind the hell out of people when the sun reflects off it?”
Are reflective vehicles a road hazard?
The debate over reflective vehicles has raised questions about road safety. Experts have noted that little research has been conducted on how reflective car exteriors might affect crash risks.
David Zuby, Chief Research Officer at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, told Business Insider: “Reflective glare may pose the same problem for other drivers as headlight glare, but I am not aware of any research documenting whether this leads to or is associated with increased crash risk.”
Johnathon Ehsani, Research Director at Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, explained two potential risks. The first is the temporary blinding effect of glare, though Ehsani noted he would need to see a polished Cybertruck in person to assess the extent of the issue.
The second and more likely risk stems from distraction. Ehsani explained, “It might attract attention because it’s such an unusual-looking vehicle.” He compared this to distractions caused by billboards or entertainment consoles in vehicles.
While the polished Cybertruck has certainly caught attention, the debate highlights broader concerns about how unconventional vehicle designs could impact road safety.
