10
Loading video...
By Alex Backus
Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
After years of hype, controversy and a string of high-profile setbacks, Tesla's Cybertruck is heading toward the end of the road.
The futuristic electric pickup, once touted by CEO Elon Musk as the company's "best product ever," struggled to meet sales expectations and became a lightning rod for criticism. Now, Tesla is preparing to wind down production at its Texas Gigafactory about three years after the first trucks reached customers.
Production will wind down around the middle of 2027 to “make room for increased Cybercab production,” Musk announced on X Friday.
Read More on News
Since its unveiling in 2019, the Cybertruck has attracted attention for its unconventional design and become a cultural flashpoint amid growing backlash against Musk.
Victor Botnari, owner of Las Vegas-based Universal Motorcars, told Newsweek he was shocked by the announcement. Botnari owns a Cybertruck and operates an auto repair and collision business that services Tesla vehicles.
“I love it. This is the best car I've ever driven, especially with the self-driving,” Botnari said. “When I heard today they're gonna stop it, it doesn't make sense. Every person who's driving a Cybertruck loves it.”
Botnari said he expected Tesla to keep the model in production for at least 10 years, describing its roughly three-year run as surprisingly short.
The Cybertruck fell far short of Musk's original production ambitions. In May 2023, he predicted Tesla could eventually sell between 250,000 and 500,000 Cybertrucks annually once production was fully ramped up.
Kelley Blue Book estimated Tesla sold just 20,237 Cybertrucks in the United States in 2025, down about half from the previous year. Sales continued to decline in 2026, with an estimated 11,586 sold through September, a 28 percent drop from the same period a year earlier.
...
Timeline of Events
November 2019: Tesla unveils the Cybertruck
Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck on November 21, 2019, at an event in Hawthorne, California. Musk introduced the stainless-steel electric pickup as a futuristic alternative to traditional trucks, highlighting its angular design, durability and performance.
During a demonstration, Tesla's chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, threw a metal ball at the truck's supposedly shatter-resistant windows. Both windows cracked—and the demonstration went viral.
Despite the gaffe, the Cybertruck quickly generated enormous interest, with Tesla taking reservations for the vehicle with a refundable $100 deposit. Just two days after its unveiling, Musk said the company had received nearly 150,000 reservations.
November 2023: First Cybertruck deliveries begin
Tesla repeatedly delayed Cybertruck production, pushing its original late 2021 target to 2022 and then 2023. Musk cited supply chain challenges as one reason for the delays.
The company eventually began delivering the first Cybertrucks to customers on November 30, 2023.
The original starting price was advertised at $39,900, although the first versions available to customers were considerably more expensive, with some costing more than twice that amount.
2024: Cybertruck faces a series of recalls
The Cybertruck's first years on the market were marked by multiple recalls involving safety and quality-control concerns.
January 1, 2025: Cybertruck explodes outside Las Vegas hotel
One of the most widely publicized incidents involving the vehicle unfolded on New Year's Day 2025, when a Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The driver died and seven people sustained minor injuries. Investigators discovered gasoline canisters and large firework mortars in the truck bed. Authorities determined the explosion was deliberate, rather than the result of a spontaneous vehicle malfunction.
Related Story
Video Shows Deadly Cybertruck Explosion in Front of Trump Hotel
2025: Tesla becomes the target of nationwide protests
As Musk became increasingly involved in the Trump administration through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Tesla faced a wave of public demonstrations.
The "Tesla Takedown" movement organized protests outside Tesla showrooms, dealerships and service centers across the United States and internationally. Demonstrators opposed Musk's political activities and called for boycotts of the company.
Although the protests were directed at Tesla and Musk rather than the Cybertruck specifically, the pickup became a recognizable symbol of the backlash.
2025: Tesla vehicles and dealerships targeted by vandalism
Tesla also faced incidents of vandalism targeting its vehicles and properties.
As demonstrations intensified, incidents included vehicles being spray-painted or damaged, charging stations being set ablaze and dealerships being covered in graffiti. Some incidents other acts of violence.
Cybertruck owners also reported facing harassment and hostility because of their association with Musk and the vehicle.
Botnari told Newsweek that his Cybertruck has attracted plenty of critics, recalling one instance when someone yelled at him while he was driving.
During the period of widespread vandalism, he said it was “kind of scary” to drive his truck because he worried someone might damage it.
“The car, and the quality, I don’t think it should be involved in the politics," Botnari said.
...
Why Is Tesla Discontinuing the Cybertruck?
Musk did not elaborate on the decision to halt production of the Cybertruck beyond saying it would allow Tesla to increase production of its Cybercab robotaxi.
“Cybertruck was an incredible technology development platform and lives on through Cybercab,” Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill wrote in a post on X.
The decision also raises questions about long-term repairs and parts availability for Cybertruck owners.
In response to a user asking about continued support for the vehicle, Morrill replied: “Yes, of course! Tesla will maintain spare parts and service will continue support.”
Botnari noted that Tesla ended production of the Model S and Model X earlier this year but continues to make parts for those vehicles, although some components can be back-ordered. He said Cybertruck owners will similarly need continued access to replacement parts and service after production winds down.
What Is a Cybercab?
The Cybercab is Tesla's purpose-built, autonomous two-passenger vehicle, designed specifically for its Robotaxi ride-hailing network.
Unveiled in October 2024, the vehicle features a futuristic design, butterfly doors and a large touchscreen. Unlike traditional cars, it has no steering wheel or pedals, as it is designed to operate autonomously.
Tesla began production of the Cybercab in the second quarter of 2026 and started offering rides using the vehicle in Austin, Texas, in September. The company envisions a larger fleet of driverless vehicles that passengers can request through an app.
Cybercab rides are currently available in limited areas of Austin as Tesla works to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service.
...
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kate Nalepinski and Edward T. Cummins
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines