Tesla chief Elon Musk has indicated that the company will wind down production of its Cybertruck vehicles at its factory in Texas next year. While Musk did not clarify whether the company plans to halt manufacturing entirely or move production to a different location, he stated that the move is necessary to “make room” for producing more self-driving Cybercab cars.
A Platform for New Technology
Wes Morrill, the lead engineer for the project, appeared to confirm the vehicle’s discontinuation in a post on X, writing that the Cybertruck served as an incredible technology development platform and would live on through the Cybercab. Although the angular vehicle built a dedicated following of passionate fans, it faced numerous production delays before its 2023 launch and has suffered from underwhelming sales figures since.
Following the announcement, supporters expressed disappointment online, with one individual describing it as the greatest vehicle Tesla has ever created while lamenting its cancellation next year. Musk replied to the user with the word “true,” while adding that the existing Cybertruck fleet will remain on the roads for a long time. The vehicle has long been a personal passion project for Musk, who praised it as an exceptionally awesome creation in March and called it Tesla’s best product to date in April.
From a Shaky Debut to Safety Recalls
Questions have persisted regarding whether everyday consumers shared Musk’s enthusiasm and whether the model could secure a foothold in the lucrative American truck market. The vehicle’s public journey began with a troubled introduction in 2019, when Musk attempted to demonstrate its supposedly unbreakable glass windows, only for them to shatter live on stage. Despite that incident, the vehicle still managed to accumulate 146,000 orders during its development phase.
When the truck finally debuted in 2023, it retained its unconventional stainless steel body and angular silhouette. Supporters celebrated its retro-futuristic aesthetic, comparing it to vehicles from science fiction cinema, whereas detractors dismissed the design as deeply unattractive. The vehicle also faced multiple safety recalls, including a 2025 campaign impacting more than 46,000 units due to concerns that exterior trim components could detach.
Pricing presented another hurdle for buyers, with Musk acknowledging to Wall Street analysts the necessity of offering an affordable price point. The fully-equipped base model ultimately launched at $61,000, while the high-performance Cyberbeast variant scheduled for 2026 commands a price tag of $102,000.
Tesla will transition its manufacturing focus at the Texas plant as it prepares to scale up production of the autonomous Cybercab fleet.
