A sizeable, steel, sharp-cornered and controversial electric truck was the drawcard for Melbourne’s first car show in more than a decade as organisers banked on curiosity surrounding the futuristic vehicle.
The Tesla Cybertruck took a spin around the Melbourne Motor Show venue in its latest stop on a tour around Australia.
Its appearance comes despite a string of recent controversies for the truck and the US brand behind it, including a widespread recall due to stainless steel panels falling off the vehicles.
But organisers say the event, the first of its kind since 2009, showed off street-legal and more practical vehicles, including 15 new models and cars from 20 manufacturers.
Annual motor shows around Australia shut down in the early 2010s due to low attendance and, according to Melbourne Motor Show organiser Craig Phinn, the withdrawal of big brands from the nation.
“A lot of onshore brands left, like Holden, and stopped manufacturing and the market was very stagnant for a long time so it was hard to put a show together with nothing new,” he said.
“With all the new manufacturers coming into Australia (now), we used that to get them all together.”
Twenty major vehicle manufacturers committed to show off cars at the Melbourne event, held at the convention centre at the weekend, in addition to 80 aftermarket brands and toy makers Hot Wheels and LEGO.
While recent automotive shows in Australia have focused on electric cars, including Everything Electric in Sydney and the Melbourne International EV Autoshow, Mr Phinn said petrol and diesel vehicles made up about 60 per cent of vehicles on display in Melbourne.
The Tesla Cybertruck wa a notable exception, he said, and its inclusion was designed to draw enthusiasts who were curious about the vehicle or eager to put a deposit down for its future launch.
“If you like cars, it’s one of those weird and wonderful ones that looks like the future,” Mr Phinn told AAP.
“I think they’re trying to get it on sale in Australia, so it will be on Tesla’s stand for the first time for the Melbourne public to touch, feel and get in and out of.”
While a Cybertruck is touring Australia, the vehicle has not been approved for Australian roads as it does not meet Australian Design Rules nor is it available in a right-hand drive formation.
About 46,000 of the vehicles were also recalled in the US this month after it was revealed one of its exterior panels could detach due to a breakdown in glue.
Tesla has suffered falling popularity in Australia, with new vehicle sales down by more than 70 per cent this year.
By Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson
