Elon Musk has said Tesla will scale back Cybertruck output at its Texas gigafactory and shift attention to the Cybercab. That move has stirred frustration among loyal fans of the angular pickup, which has struggled to meet expectations since launch.
“Tesla is expected to phase out Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas by about the middle of next year to free up capacity for higher Cybercab production,” Musk said in a post today.
His message seemed to leave open the idea of production continuing somewhere else, but Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill then implied the vehicle’s run was ending. “Cybertruck was an incredible technology development platform and continues to exist in Cybercab,” he said. “Thanks to everyone who contributed to making the road ahead still feeling full of promise. And to the community of owners whose journeys I’ve enjoyed and will keep following.”
The Cybertruck first arrived in 2023 with heavy attention, yet sales have lagged badly. It has also faced widespread online mockery since its 2019 reveal, when Musk broke the truck’s claimed shatterproof glass during a live demonstration.
Reaction to the news ranged from jokes to genuine sadness among Tesla fans. Some social media users posted sarcastic comments, while others said they felt let down by the change in direction.
In a reply to one upset supporter, Musk stated that the Cybertruck fleet “will remain in service for a long time.” Morrill also responded to a fan who said the news felt like a personal loss, promising that Tesla would continue offering spare parts and service support.
Earlier this year, amid weak sales and renewed scrutiny, Musk defended the truck, saying it was “far more impressive than most people think.” In April, he also described it as the “finest product Tesla has ever made to date.”
Now Tesla’s emphasis is moving to Cybercab, which Musk has described as central to the company’s robotaxi strategy. Reuters reported that the two-seat robotaxi is still a relatively small project, with manufacturing only beginning earlier this year. Tesla has said its installed capacity is above 125,000 units.
Wesley is IGN's Managing Editor. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at [email protected] or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, confidentially at [email protected].
- Cybertruck production is expected to slow as Cybercab gains priority.
- Supporters reacted with disappointment, jokes, and concern.
- Tesla says service and parts support for Cybertruck should continue.
- Cybercab is becoming the center of Tesla’s robotaxi plans.