Tesla has announced plans to halt production of the polarizing Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas around the middle of next year, setting off a wave of disappointment, confusion, and frustration among brand loyalists. CEO Elon Musk stated on X that the shutdown is intended to free up capacity for increased production of self-driving Cybercabs. However, automotive industry observers note that the steel-paneled electric truck has also faced weak sales, delayed deliveries, inflated pricing, numerous recalls, and negative associations with Musk's political alignment since its November 2023 rollout.
First positioned as an electric rival to classic gas-powered pickups, the truck will exit the market within four years of its debut. The sudden wind-down has left owners in online communities and social media groups questioning the future of vehicle service, replacement parts, and aftermarket modifications. Many feel abandoned as Tesla shifts its corporate focus entirely toward autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Key takeaways
- Tesla will stop manufacturing the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas around the middle of next year.
- The company plans to reallocate resources to scale up production of its autonomous Cybercabs.
- Owners and enthusiasts have launched petitions and expressed frustration over the loss of a flagship vehicle.
- Devotees speculate that the truck served in part as a data-collection beta test for Tesla's broader autonomous vehicle agenda.
Owner backlash and community reaction
Michael Goldman, administrator of the Facebook group Cybertruck Owners Only with more than 82,000 members, noted that members are deeply unhappy with the abrupt decision. While some buyers are concerned about pending orders and whether deposits will be returned—with Musk claiming Tesla will have to return deposits for a lot of people due to demand outpacing production—others worry about the lack of future flagship options. Goldman himself considered buying a backup Cyberbeast, which carries a price of $109,990, but noted an $8,000 price increase prompted him to hold off just before the discontinuation news broke.
Troy Meekhof, a prominent Tesla aficionado known as the Cybertruck Guy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, launched a symbolic petition urging Tesla to reconsider the elimination of the vehicle, gathering more than 5,000 signatures. Meekhof criticized the company's unwillingness or incompetence to make the vehicle a success, pointing to a lack of price cuts, advertisements, and the missing range extender.
The strategic shift toward autonomy
Critics within the owner community argue that Tesla is moving too aggressively toward an autonomous-only future, leaving traditional automotive enthusiasts behind. With the earlier discontinuation of the Model S and Model X earlier this year, Tesla's consumer vehicle lineup narrows to just the Model 3 and Model Y. Owners point out that smaller autonomous sedans like the two-seater Cybercab cannot replace the utility of a truck for construction work, large families, or everyday driving needs in rural towns.
Several devotees have voiced concerns that the Cybertruck was merely a tool for collecting data for robots and self-driving cars, essentially making early buyers beta testers for the Cybercab. As Musk pivots Tesla into an AI and robotics firm rather than a traditional automaker, owners like Drew Million admit they have lost love for the brand over increasingly stale consumer options and a lack of vehicles that meet practical hauling requirements.
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