It’s basically a Cybertruck—just marginally easier on the eyes.Let’s be real: Tesla’s boxy, oversized electric pickup has been the target of endless jokes since day one. Who could forget the debut when those “bulletproof” windows shattered on live TV? The last thing anyone seemed to need was another vehicle aping the Cybertruck’s polarizing design. So it’s a genuine surprise that I’m not repulsed by this new Chinese take on the concept.
GAC’s new “01 Pickup Concept” turned heads at this week’s Shanghai Auto Show, and its futuristic tech vibe clearly borrows from the Cybertruck—with a dash of GMC Hummer flair thrown in for good measure. At first glance, it comes off way sleeker than Tesla’s behemoth. It’s not exactly a timeless design icon, but you can’t deny it’s bold.
GAC hasn’t spilled much detail on the 01, but they did drop a bit of a tagline. “A pickup isn’t just a workhorse—it’s a way to elevate your lifestyle,” said Du Peiyuan, General Manager of GAC Hino’s Pickup Division. “As global consumers’ lives get more dynamic, they’re no longer just after utility—they want a truck that works in every scenario.”
Like the Cybertruck, the 01 sports sharp, angular lines—but it’s less boxy, which softens the edge. As one Redditor put it: “I could totally see this transforming into Optimus Prime, and that alone gives it some cool points.”
Still, the Cybertruck has been dogged by design flaws, so we’re not getting our hopes up too high for the GAC 01—especially since it’s still just a concept. GAC might prove us wrong, but even if the 01 fixes some of the Cybertruck’s design missteps, Tesla’s lackluster sales suggest Elon’s blueprint might not have been the best one to copy.
