Tesla Cybertruck production will be wound down at the company’s Texas gigafactory around the middle of next year, CEO Elon Musk said Friday in a post on X. He explained the move would free capacity for manufacturing of Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi at the same facility.
Tesla Cybertruck production shift to make room for Cybercab
Musk, who has long promoted the Cybertruck as a disruptive entry in the pickup market, said ending output at the Texas site would allow the company to prioritize the autonomous two-seat Cybercab. The Texas plant currently builds the Cybertruck alongside the Tesla Model Y and the Cybercab.
Musk did not indicate whether Cybertruck assembly would continue at another factory. Responding to a user on X who called the change an end of an era and praised the vehicle, he said the Cybertruck fleet would remain on the road for a long time.
Tesla began delivering the Cybertruck in late 2023. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sales, reception, and recalls
The Cybertruck’s angular design developed a devoted following but did not reach mass-market demand. Before launch, Musk predicted annual sales could eventually reach 250,000. While Tesla does not disclose sales by model or region, Cox Automotive estimated U.S. sales at 20,237 units last year, down 48% from 38,965 in 2024.
One major buyer last year was Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX, which reported spending $131 million on Cybertrucks at Tesla’s suggested retail price, according to a SpaceX financial filing.
The truck’s polarizing look also drew criticism and, in some cases, hostile reactions on the road, according to owners interviewed last year. Media coverage has linked the vehicle’s image to broader political sentiment during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Specifications for production models differed from figures touted before launch and in some areas trailed leading gasoline-powered pickups. Owners also reported quality and production issues.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck was the subject of 11 voluntary recalls. Issues included a trapped accelerator pedal risk that could cause unintended acceleration, software defects, and an inverter fault that could lead to sudden loss of drive power.
Media coverage has linked the vehicle’s image to broader political sentiment during Donald Trump’s presidency.