Well-known YouTuber and tech reviewer MKBHD, also known as Marques Brownlee, has parted ways with his Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) Cybertruck and pledged his support to rival automaker Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN) in the battle for electric pickup truck supremacy.
What Happened: While Tesla dominates the electric vehicle sales chart each year compared to Rivian, the smaller EV company may have something new to brag about.
Tech reviewer and content creator MKBHD shared a video with his millions of followers on Instagram announcing he had sold the Cybertruck he bought back in April.
The post generated plenty of comments from Tesla fans and people in the electric vehicle communities on social media, with MKBHD directly addressing several questions about the sale.
"I like the Rivian better," MKBHD told a user on X, suggesting a preference for the R1T in the electric pickup truck market.
Benzinga reached out to MKBHD for comment and further insight into the reasons behind his sale but did not receive a response.
MKBHD also downplayed the importance of advanced features like FSD in Tesla vehicles when considering electric vehicle purchases.
"We all know FSD is better than Rivian's, but people on this site act like it's the #1 buying factor for regular people when it's not."
One X user criticized MKBHD for being a "late convert to the Cybertruck."
MKBHD took issue with the complaint, saying he was one of the earliest people to review the Cybertruck and took heat for not "being harsh enough" in his review.
The tech reviewer clarified that he drove less than 5,000 miles in the Cybertruck, dispelling speculation from one user that he avoided buying new tires after driving 20,000 miles in the Tesla.
Why It's Important: MKBHD's reviews have become a staple in the technology sector, including electric vehicles.
Negative reviews by MKBHD for the Fisker Ocean and the Humane AI Pin, which generated reviews of "the worst car" and "the worst product I've ever reviewed" respectively, have been credited with hurting company's sales and their futures.
A report from Torque News estimates MKBHD may have lost around $50,000 selling the Cybertruck foundation series model with a matte black wrap based on current resale prices.
This could suggest that MKBHD was really not a fan of certain features or became increasingly disappointed in the process to get modifications done.
The tech reviewer also suggests that customers may be making the switch from Tesla to Rivian like he did.
"Owners I know that are trading in their X for R1S really like having an actual SUV for their families. FSD is not a concern for them. Tesla messed up not making an actual SUV. Maybe in 2025," MKBHD tweeted.
MKBHD added that Tesla "could crush" with a 3-row SUV similar to the R1S.
