by An Unexpected Find on Russian Roads
This is not a new Tesla. Before you is a strange homemade copy, strikingly similar to the Cybertruck, and it’s not even American.
This oddly familiar van was spotted on the snowy streets of Russia, attracting attention not for its originality, but for its attempt at imitation. While many are still debating the appearance of Tesla’s wedge-shaped pickup, there are those who wish to copy it.
A Russian UAZ transformed into a full-size replica of the Tesla Cybertruck
This strange van was photographed on the streets of Perm, covered in snow and clad in exposed panels like the Cybertruck. It’s unknown what metal they are made from, but it’s unlikely to be Tesla’s famous stainless steel. However, the resemblance is so striking that it stands out among all other traffic on the road.
Imitation Details
The visual imitation is not limited to just body panels. Black fender flares wrap around the wheel arches, complementing the dark wheels. A front LED light bar, borrowed directly from the Cybertruck, is installed, along with the same sharp, flat windshield. At the rear, a bulky roll-up door replaces Tesla’s more refined tailgate.
This $11,000 homemade Cybertruck is both funny and impressive
Little is known about the technical details of this van, but it appears to have started life as an electric V90 model from the Chinese manufacturer Weiqiao New Energy, which, as you might have guessed, itself borrowed more than one stylistic detail from the Cybertruck.
Market Context and Donor Model
After Western automakers left the Russian market en masse following the invasion of Ukraine, Chinese companies quickly filled the gap and now account for the majority of new car sales there.
This Tesla Cybertruck looks very realistic, but is actually a replica
The standard V90 already has a design significantly influenced by the Cybertruck, at least from a distance. It features similar design elements, including a light bar, flat windshield, and geometric side windows, which are also present on the steel van spotted in Perm.
However, the standard sliding side doors and split rear doors of the base vehicle have been replaced, indicating the creative liberties taken by the builder.
Here is the story of that very fake Tesla Cybertruck
Purpose of Creation and Summary
This is most likely not a sincere tribute or a moving joke. Company logos on the side suggest it is more likely a bold attempt to turn the vehicle into a mobile advertisement for the builder’s business. Nevertheless, it’s clear that someone put considerable effort into creating their own version of Tesla’s most controversial car. And despite limitations in both materials and origin, they managed to capture the essence of the original remarkably well.
The appearance of such homemade vehicles in Russia can be seen as a symptom of deeper trends in the automotive market. The departure of global brands created not only a vacuum filled by Chinese manufacturers but also fostered the development of a local, often very unconventional, car culture. Projects like this “cybervan” demonstrate how popular global images and technologies are being reinterpreted in new conditions where access to original products is limited. It also shows that expressive design, even as polarizing as the Cybertruck’s, continues to be a powerful source of inspiration for enthusiasts worldwide, regardless of the brand’s official presence in the country.
