US — The Verge
Tesla is ‘winding down’ production of the Cybertruck next year
Mobility1 min read
Tesla plans to stop making its Cybertruck electric pickup around the middle of next year. The company wants the factory space for its Cybercab robotaxi instead.
What happened
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a post on X that Tesla will wind down Cybertruck production at its Texas Gigafactory around mid-next year. The space will be used to make more Cybercabs, which are self-driving taxis with no human driver.
Key numbers
- Analysts estimate about 70,000 Cybertrucks have been delivered since the vehicle launched in 2023.
- Musk once predicted 250,000 sales a year.
- Tesla does not publish separate Cybertruck sales numbers.
- The Austin, Texas factory is the only Tesla plant known to build the Cybertruck.
Why the Cybertruck struggled
The Cybertruck has a very unusual, boxy design. It is not legal to drive on roads in many countries. It has also had many recalls because of faulty or dangerous parts, and it has been involved in fatal crashes. Sales have been far below what Musk once hoped for.
Why it matters
Tesla is shifting its focus to robotaxis, which it sees as a major future business. Ending the Cybertruck shows that the company is willing to drop a product that has not sold well. It also raises the question of whether Tesla will build the Cybertruck somewhere else, which would be hard to do.
What to watch
- Whether Musk says where, or if, Cybertruck production will move.
- How quickly Cybercab production ramps up in Texas.
- Whether Tesla confirms the exact end date for Cybertruck production.
- What Tesla releases next as a successor to the Cybertruck.
Glossary
- Tesla
- A company that makes electric cars, trucks, and energy products.
- Cybertruck
- Tesla's electric pickup truck with a steel, angular design, launched in 2023.
- Cybercab
- A planned Tesla robotaxi, a self-driving car that carries paying riders without a human driver.
- Gigafactory
- A very large Tesla factory where batteries, cars, or parts are made.