Tesla Ends Cybertruck Production

Tesla is ending production of the Cybertruck next year.

CEO Elon Musk announced the decision on Friday via a post on X. He stated that manufacturing will wind down around the middle of 2027 at the facility outside Austin, Texas. Musk explained that the shift allows for increased production of the Cybercab robotaxi.

The vehicle has a turbulent history that began in 2019. Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen hurled a metal ball at the windshield during a live presentation to show the glass strength. The window shattered. He repeated the stunt on the rear glass, which also broke. Musk defended the design in interviews, describing it as a futuristic battle tank inspired by films like Blade Runner and Aliens. He claimed it was a better sports car than a Porsche 911 and a better truck than an F-150.

Sales figures tell a different story from the hype. Kelley Blue Book estimated Tesla sold 20,237 Cybertrucks last year. That number was down about half from the previous year. Through the end of September this year, sales fell another 28 percent. Musk had previously forecast annual production of 250,000 units. The drop in numbers aligns with Tesla's strategic pivot toward autonomous vehicles.

The truck became a cultural flashpoint. Spencer Penn, a former Tesla executive, noted that the vehicle was controversial from the start. He described the appearance as madness but eventually reserved one. He did not buy it because the final price doubled from the promised sub-40,000 dollar tag. Penn viewed the truck as part of Tesla's adventurous spirit, noting that some bets work while others do not.

Politics further polarized the customer base. Musk's alliance with President Donald Trump alienated some buyers. Owners responded by selling their cars or putting stickers on bumpers that read, I bought this before Elon went crazy. Demonstrations occurred outside showrooms. Anger spilled into violence, with Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles and charging stations set ablaze. Owners of Cybertrucks specifically faced shouts of Nazi and extended middle fingers.

Ross Blankenship, a Cybertruck owner in Sunnyside, Colorado, spoke by phone about his attachment to the vehicle. He compared the feeling of seeing the truck to his childhood playing the video game Halo. He said he wanted to be part of something cool that would change the future of automotive. Despite agreeing with Musk on politics, he found it heartbreaking to see the vehicle become a political symbol. He said he would buy another one in a heartbeat and called the end of production a sad moment.

The Cybertruck is set to be joined by the Cybercab in Tesla's lineup. Musk's decision prioritizes the robotaxi over the pickup. The shift marks the end of a model that divided opinion since its 2019 debut.