It's sunset for Tesla's divisive Cybertruck
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Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images
Tesla's futuristic Cybertruck got off to a rocky start when its supposedly unbreakable windows shattered during a 2019 demonstration. Seven years later, the polarizing pickup appears headed for the scrap heap.
Why it matters: The stainless-steel, sharp-edged behemoth attracted plenty of attention, but not enough buyers.
Driving the news: Elon Musk says Tesla will wind down Cybertruck production next year to make room for its autonomous Cybercab.
- Musk once envisioned selling at least 250,000 Cybertrucks annually. Sales peaked below 40,000 in 2024 and have been falling ever since.
Friction point: Owners complained of rust spots, stuck accelerator pedals and malfunctioning windshield wipers. Some even found their rugged trucks stranded in snow or sand.
- Tesla recalled the Cybertruck 11 times, including twice to reattach stainless steel trim pieces that could fly off while driving.
- Neither the truck's $39,900 price target or its promised 500-mile driving range ever materialized. Most buyers paid closer to $100,000.
The irony: Automotive journalists generally admired its engineering, including innovative steer-by-wire technology, a 48-volt electrical system and supercar-like acceleration.
- Car and Driver called it a technological "moonshot," while MotorTrend praised its engineering excellence.
The bottom line: The Cybertruck may have been ahead of its time technologically. But its outlandish styling, high price and quality problems proved too much for mainstream pickup buyers.
