Tesla confirmed on Friday that it will wind down production of the Cybertruck, the company’s high‑profile electric pickup, and redirect resources toward a new autonomous taxi service dubbed the Cybercab. The decision follows sales of roughly 70,000 Cybertrucks since the model’s launch in November 2023, far short of the 250,000 units per year Elon Musk had projected at the time of introduction.
Production numbers and recall
According to company statements, the Cybertruck sold about 70,000 units before the production halt was announced. The model was built at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory and featured bullet‑proof side panels and doors, a design Musk promoted as a futuristic, war‑vehicle‑like electric vehicle. In 2025, Tesla issued a recall affecting 46,000 trucks because a specific side‑panel component could detach in cold weather. The recall underscored earlier reports from automotive YouTubers and professional mechanics that highlighted ill‑fitting body work and inconsistent production quality on early units.
Design, performance issues and market response
Early owners reported several technical problems. The electric systems were described as prone to software bugs, and some vehicles reportedly shut down when exposed to moisture. The vehicle’s unconventional shape was criticized for reducing practicality in hauling, loading, or towing. While the doors were marketed as bullet‑proof, experts noted that protection was limited to small‑caliber rounds and did not extend to the windows.
Public visibility of the Cybertruck was notable in New York City. In early 2024, observers spotted a matte‑black Cybertruck with a “To the Moon” decal traveling through Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bedford Stuyvesant, and Crown Heights. Owners often added bumper stickers reading “I bought this before Elon went crazy” to deter vandalism, and some customized the trucks with right‑wing graphics and American‑flag tinted windows, turning the vehicle into a political statement for some drivers.
Political backdrop and future plans
The Cybertruck’s rollout coincided with Musk’s political activities. After the vehicle’s announcement, Musk contributed nearly $300 million to a dark‑money organization called America PAC, supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Online, Musk posted remarks about transgender individuals, illegal immigration, and “woke” politicians, while his factories faced lawsuits alleging racism and sexual harassment.
When Trump assumed office in 2025, Musk was appointed head of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), a name referencing a 2010s Reddit meme. The department reportedly dismissed thousands of federal workers, stalled multiple agencies, and eliminated USAID, actions that the source linked to tens of thousands of preventable deaths abroad.
Looking ahead, Tesla’s focus will shift to the Cybercab, a self‑driving taxi intended to compete with Google’s Waymo project. Both the Cybercab and Waymo are not yet capable of fully autonomous cross‑country trips, a capability Musk previously promised for Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving feature in 2017 but that has not materialized.
Industry observers note that the Cybertruck’s limited sales, technical recalls, and the broader political environment likely influenced Tesla’s decision to discontinue the model. The company’s next steps will center on autonomous mobility solutions while it continues to navigate the financial and regulatory landscape shaped by Musk’s extensive involvement in both technology and politics.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
