Musk said the decision was taken in order to make room for increased production of its Cybercab robotaxi. The move comes after years of weaker-than-expected sales for the futuristic electric pickup.
Tesla will begin winding down production of its Cybertruck around the middle of 2027, as the company shifts its focus towards autonomous vehicles, CEO Elon Musk announced on his social media platform X on Friday.
The decision marks a major shift for Tesla’s electric pickup programme, which has struggled to meet the sales expectations set by the world’s richest man.
Musk did not clarify whether production would be moved to another facility or whether the vehicle would be discontinued altogether. He also did not address what would happen to outstanding orders.
Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill described the pickup as an “incredible technology development platform” that would live on through the Cybercab.
Musk later reassured owners that the existing Cybertruck fleet would remain on the roads for a long time, calling the production wind-down “the end of an era”.
Sales fall short of Musk’s ambitions
Unveiled in November 2019, the Cybertruck was presented as a radical departure from traditional pickup trucks, with its angular design and stainless-steel exterior.
Musk initially said the vehicle had attracted around 250,000 pre-orders within days of its unveiling, while Tesla built its Texas production facilities with ambitious plans to manufacture hundreds of thousands of units annually.
However, production was repeatedly delayed, with the first customer deliveries only beginning in late 2023.
The vehicle has struggled to achieve the mass-market appeal Musk had anticipated. According to Kelley Blue Book estimates cited by the Associated Press, US Cybertruck sales fell by 48% in 2025 compared with the previous year, to 20,237 vehicles.
Tesla does not publish separate sales figures for the Cybertruck. Its third-quarter 2026 delivery report showed 8,295 vehicles delivered in its ‘Other Models’ category, which also includes the Semi and remaining Model S and Model X vehicles.
The pickup has also faced several recalls and quality-control issues, while its unconventional design has divided consumers.
The Cybertruck never made it to Europe
Despite its high-profile launch, the Cybertruck never entered the European market.
Its heavy construction and angular design have raised questions over compliance with European vehicle safety requirements, particularly rules designed to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
The truck’s sharp-edged stainless-steel body and weight have also fuelled debate over whether such vehicles are compatible with European road-safety standards.
The model has therefore remained largely a North American phenomenon, limiting its potential international customer base.
Its public image has also become increasingly tied to Musk’s political activities. The Tesla chief’s close association with US President Donald Trump and his role in the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency made the vehicle a political symbol for some supporters and critics alike.
Some owners have reported vandalism and harassment, further complicating the pickup’s public perception.
Tesla bets on driverless future
The decision to free up factory space for the Cybercab reflects Musk’s broader ambition to transform Tesla from an electric-car manufacturer into a company focused on artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous transport.
Unveiled in 2024, the two-seater Cybercab is designed to operate without a steering wheel or pedals and is central to Tesla’s plans for a driverless taxi network.
The company has already begun offering limited robotaxi rides in the United States, although the technology remains under regulatory scrutiny.
Tesla has said it intends to make the Cybercab a central vehicle in its future transport network, with Musk arguing that autonomous driving and robotics will become increasingly important to the company’s business.
The Cybertruck’s production wind-down marks a significant change of direction for a vehicle once presented as one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects. Whether it disappears from the company’s product line altogether, however, remains unclear.
Source: www.euronews.com
