Tesla Inc. has started production of its long-awaited all-electric Semi Truck and will make its first deliveries to PepsiCo Inc. in December, Chief Executive Elon Musk said late Thursday.
"Excited to announce start of production of Tesla Semi Truck with deliveries to @Pepsi on Dec 1st!," Musk said in a tweet. "500 mile range & super fun to drive," he added.
PepsiCo. $(PEP)$ordered 100 Tesla Semis in 2017. At the time, production was expected to begin in 2019, with the 500-mile-range version starting at $180,000.
In August, Musk said the 500-mile-range truck would begin deliveries by the end of the year, to be followed by the Cybertruck pickup next year.
Tesla shares $(TSLA)$ have fallen 32% year to date, compared to the S&P 500's 21% decline in 2022.