Ever since Elon Musk and Tesla revealed its highly angular Cybertruck in 2019, the electric vehicle’s launch has suffered delays. The latest report suggested that issues surrounding the pandemic would force Tesla to push back a launch until 2023, and that is precisely what happened.

While those in countries where Tesla operates, sorry South Africans, will have to wait until next year to take delivery of their Cybertruck EVs, the company did indeed confirm that it would be launched in 2023 at a Giga Texas event this week.

More specifically, recently appointed Twitter board member Elon Musk strode onto stage (in a cowboy hat and sunglasses) to confirm the news, while also showcasing what the production version of the EV looks like.

To be fair, it looks a lot like the one that Tesla showcased in 2019, with the key difference this time being that it does not feature physical handles.

Instead, the Cybertruck will sense when the car owner is in close proximity and open the doors accordingly. This is by no means groundbreaking technology, with most luxury vehicles featuring something similar to “activate” the vehicle when the key fob is near, but the removal of door handles altogether is quite interesting.

Musk added that manufacture of the vehicle would be happening at Tesla’s Giga Factory in Texas, with the aforementioned Cyber Rodeo event focused on the facility itself and the fact that production across most of its EVs is set to dramatically scale up over the coming months and years.

So much so that Musk termed it a scale like, “no company has ever achieved in the history of humanity.” How Henry Ford and the Model T will feel about that remains to be seen, but it looks like Tesla is indeed preparing to ramp up production, with Musk adding that new offerings are also on the way.

No the only thing left to wait to see is when Tesla plans to make good on its promise and bring its EVs to South Africa roads.