Tesla will end production of its Cybertruck electric pickup truck at its Texas factory around mid-2027, freeing space for increased production of its autonomous Cybercab vehicle. CEO Elon Musk announced the decision on November 6, 2026.
The decision marks the end of production for one of Tesla’s most anticipated and controversial models. This shift comes after years of sales that fell far short of initial projections. Cybertruck production will cease at Gigafactory Texas, the only facility currently equipped to build the vehicle’s specialized stainless-steel components.
Tesla will be winding down production of the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas around the middle of next year to make room for increased Cybercab production
Sales Far Below Projections
The Cybertruck, which began deliveries in late 2023, struggled to find a broad market. CEO Elon Musk originally forecasted annual sales of 250,000 units. Actual sales have been a fraction of that target. Data from Kelley Blue Book, cited by multiple outlets, shows that in the U.S., Tesla sold just 20,237 Cybertrucks in 2025, a 48% decrease from the 38,965 units sold in 2024. Sales continued to decline, with only 11,586 units sold in the first nine months of 2026, down 28% from the same period in 2025.
Several factors contributed to the model’s poor commercial performance. The vehicle’s initial advertised starting price was $39,900, but the actual base price upon launch was significantly higher. By November 2026, the official price for a new Cybertruck in the U.S. ranged from $82,490 to over $100,000, positioning it as a premium product. Additionally, the truck faced numerous quality issues and recall campaigns. Since its launch, Tesla has initiated 11 separate recalls for the Cybertruck, some requiring physical repairs and others fixed over-the-air software updates, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
True, but the Cybertruck fleet will be around for a long time
The Cybertruck’s unconventional design also limited its marketability. Its angular, stainless-steel body made it difficult to certify for sale in Europe, where pedestrian safety regulations are stricter. There’s no point in continuing to produce if a car isn’t meeting its targets.
A Focus on the Future: Cybercab
The shutdown of Cybertruck production is part of a strategic pivot by Tesla towards autonomous vehicles. The freed-up production capacity at Gigafactory Texas will be dedicated to scaling up output of the Cybercab, a two-seater autonomous vehicle designed without a steering wheel, pedals, or side mirrors. Musk envisions the Cybercab as the cornerstone of a future global robotaxi network.
The Cybercab has already begun limited operations in Austin, Texas. According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, of the more than 1,200 Tesla robotaxis operating in the state, approximately 570 are Cybercabs, with the rest being primarily Model Y vehicles.
In a post announcing the end of Cybertruck production, Musk called it the best car ever created by Tesla
and the end of an era. The decision to pivot to Cybercab reflects his ambition to transform Tesla from an automotive company into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics.
The Road to Shutdown
The Cybertruck was first unveiled in November 2019 with a dramatic presentation that showcased its unique, angular design and stainless-steel construction. During the launch event in 2023, Musk presented it as a futuristic competitor to traditional pickup trucks from General Motors and Ford, famously declaring, Finally, the future will look like the future.
Despite the initial hype and over a million pre-orders, the production launch was repeatedly delayed, and the final product failed to resonate with the mass market.
Interestingly, SpaceX, another company led by Elon Musk, emerged as one of the Cybertruck’s largest corporate customers. According to documents filed for SpaceX’s IPO, the company purchased Cybertrucks from Tesla in 2025 for a total of $131 million.
Tesla plans to wind down Cybertruck production at its Texas gigafactory around the middle of next year to accommodate increased production of the Cybercab, CEO Elon Musk said in a post on X https://t.co/iMOWiDt7gy
The discontinuation of the Cybertruck continues a trend of Tesla simplifying its model lineup. This narrowing of focus is now clearly aimed at the emerging autonomous mobility market. Will the Cybercab succeed where the Cybertruck did not?
More on Cybertruck production
Elon Musk has officially announced that Tesla will be discontinuing Cybertruck production in mid-2027. Considering Tesla can make many times more Cybercabs than Cybertrucks in that space, this move makes financial sense. Tesla sold ~8k Cybertrucks in Q3. The future of Tesla is… https://t.co/IkNWGhad30
