Tesla's electric pickup truck, the Cybertruck, is set to effectively be discontinued after four years since its launch. Despite its futuristic design, it has struggled with disappointing sales and ongoing quality issues.
On November 6, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, announced via his X (formerly Twitter) account that production of the Cybertruck at the Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, will be gradually reduced starting in mid-2024. He stated this decision is aimed at making space for the production of the Cybercab.
The Cybercab is Tesla's autonomous RoboTaxi. The Austin Gigafactory is the only facility producing parts specifically for the Cybertruck, making this production cut effectively a sign of its discontinuation.
Musk described the Cybertruck as “the best vehicle Tesla has ever made” and referred to this decision as “the end of an era.”
The Cybertruck was developed as Tesla's entry into the electric pickup truck market. First unveiled in 2019, it officially launched in 2023. Its stainless steel body and distinctive angular design garnered attention, and Musk had anticipated it would compete effectively in the U.S. pickup truck market, which has been dominated by General Motors and Ford.
However, actual sales figures fell significantly short of expectations. According to automotive information firm Kelley Blue Book, Cybertruck sales in the U.S. last year totaled just 20,237 units. Mixed reviews of its unique design, high vehicle prices, and repeated recalls have been cited as reasons for the poor sales performance.
Tesla is shifting its focus from its traditional electric vehicle business to artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and robotics. Previously, Tesla halted production of its luxury electric models, the Model S and Model X, at its California factory to repurpose that space for the production of its humanoid robot, Optimus.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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