State Dept. plans $400 million buy of armored Tesla Cybertrucks
Nationwide Information
The division plans to purchase armored Tesla autos. Elon Musk, who’s main efforts to chop authorities spending, has gained greater than $13 billion in authorities contracts previously 5 years.
Tesla, whose CEO, Elon Musk, has been advising President Donald Trump on tips on how to minimize authorities spending, is prone to obtain a profitable contract to produce armored variations of its Cybertruck pickup to the State Division, in line with public paperwork.
The division’s procurement forecast for 2025, which particulars purchases the company expects to make, consists of $400 million for armored Tesla autos. The doc doesn’t specify which Tesla mannequin, however the electrical Cybertruck, which has a physique of high-strength chrome steel, could be essentially the most appropriate car.
Musk spent greater than $250 million to assist elect Trump, who then appointed him because the chief of a cost-cutting initiative that’s been known as the Division of Authorities Effectivity.
The acquisition of Cybertrucks, an atypical alternative for presidency armored transport, is prone to elevate battle of curiosity points, particularly as Musk trumpets his personal efforts to root out what he regards as pointless spending.
On X, the social media web site he owns, Musk has portrayed the federal authorities as replete with waste and corruption. On Wednesday, he posted about what he stated had been extravagantly overpriced espresso cups and cleaning soap dispensers on the Pentagon.
Tesla and the State Division didn’t reply instantly to requests for remark.
Musk is already a main authorities contractor. Corporations he owns or controls have secured $13 billion in federal contracts over the previous 5 years. SpaceX, the rocket firm he based, collects most of that cash and is likely one of the greatest authorities contractors.
The State Division procurement forecast was printed in December, after Trump gained the election however earlier than he took workplace. Plans to buy Cybertrucks had been reported earlier Wednesday by Drop Website Information.
Gross sales of the Cybertruck have been modest since its introduction in late 2023. Tesla bought 39,000 final 12 months, in line with estimates by Cox Automotive. With a beginning worth of $80,000, the car is simply too costly for a lot of patrons.
Musk has joked that the Cybertruck, with its uncommon chrome steel exterior and “Mad Max” design, is “apocalypse prepared” and effectively suited to warfare. However Tesla has recalled the car a number of occasions for issues equivalent to defective windshield wiper motors.
Tesla wouldn’t acquire the entire $400 million order. Among the cash would go to companies that improve the autos, equivalent to Armormax, an organization in Ogden, Utah.
Justin Johnson, operations supervisor at Armormax, acknowledged in a quick phone interview Wednesday that there was curiosity within the firm’s product from the Trump administration however stated he was not approved to remark additional.
Armormax installs bulletproof glass and different gear to transform the Cybertruck passenger compartment right into a “cocoon” that protects occupants, Johnson stated. “It armors very effectively,” he stated of the car.
The agency advertises on its web site that it may well outfit autos with further safety equivalent to “run-flat” tires that hold rolling even after being punctured, and a “street tack allotting system” that scatters tacks on the street to foil pursuers.
The State Division additionally plans to buy smaller portions of armored autos from different suppliers, in line with the procurement forecast, together with BMW sport utility autos valued at $40 million.
This text initially appeared in The New York Instances.
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