Tesla to end Cybertruck production in mid-2027 following poor sales

Tesla will wind down production of its angular, stainless-steel Cybertruck in mid-2027 at its facility outside Austin, Texas, according to reporting from ABC and other outlets. Chief executive Elon Musk announced the model's demise on X, explaining that the move will allow Tesla to increase production of the Cybercab robotaxi. The decision brings an unceremonious end to a high-profile vehicle that polarized public opinion and struggled to meet early sales targets.

The vehicle's trajectory represents a major retreat from a pet project of Mr Musk, who initially predicted annual sales of 250,000 units. Automotive data platform Kelley Blue Book estimated that Tesla sold 20,237 Cybertrucks in the United States, marking a steep drop from the previous year. Sales through September of the following year fell by a further percentage reported by Kelley Blue Book, compounding the commercial struggles of a model that launched to heavy media attention in late 2023.

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International plans have collapsed entirely alongside the domestic production wind-down. According to EV Central, Tesla wrote to customers in Australia and New Zealand to confirm that plans to build a right-hand drive version have been scrapped, seven years after orders first opened. Customers who placed reservations dating back to the initial 2019 unveiling received emails stating their orders are cancelled and deposits will be refunded in full within 30 days. As compensation, Tesla offered affected reservation holders a complimentary one-year Full Self-Driving subscription upon ordering a new Model 3 or Model Y.

Safety regulations and structural design choices also constrained the vehicle's viability outside North America. Former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer noted that European crash regulations regarding pedestrian impact rendered regulatory approval impossible. Within the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recorded 11 recalls for the truck, addressing issues through physical repairs and over-the-air software updates.

The vehicle's reception was further complicated by political and cultural controversies. While some enthusiasts embraced the science-fiction aesthetic reminiscent of video games and dystopian films, others distanced themselves as public sentiment shifted. High-profile protests, showroom vandalism, and political associations alienated certain buyers, though dedicated fans maintained strong affection for the truck's bold engineering.

Mr Musk stated that the wind-down will enable Tesla to ramp up production of the Cybercab, a robotic taxi featuring butterfly doors and no steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors. Lead engineer Wes Morrill stated via ABC that the Cybertruck served as an incredible technology development platform that lives on through subsequent autonomous projects. However, analysts observe that this corporate pivot toward robotics and artificial intelligence comes at the expense of the traditional electric-vehicle business that Tesla pioneered, particularly as Chinese rivals gain ground globally.

Uncertainty surrounds the transition as federal regulators continue auditing the Cybercab's self-certification standards. Affected international customers await their deposit refunds, while the industry watches to see whether the autonomous robotaxi fleet can bridge the manufacturing gap left by the departing pickup.