Gigafactory Texas Prepares for Cybercab as Cybertruck Production Winds Down
Tesla will wind down production of the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas around the middle of next year to make way for increased Cybercab manufacturing, according to a post on X by Elon Musk.
Fewer Than 50,000 Units Shipped Before Production Halt
Despite Musk crowing at the end of 2023 that reservations were “off the charts” and allegedly topping a million, the truck failed to scale commercially. WIRED reported that the vehicle shifted less than 50,000 units in total by March of last year. EVWire cited Kelley Blue Book data showing that Tesla sold 11,586 Cybertrucks in the first three quarters of this year in the US, marking a 28 percent drop year-over-year.
The production wind-down announcement arrived roughly 80 minutes after Tesla raised US Cybertruck prices and paused new orders for the entry-level Dual-Motor AWD version. Tesla has not responded to WIRED’s request for comment and clarification on whether the pickup will be permanently discontinued.
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
A Chronology of Engineering Flaws and Recalls
The Cybertruck faced operational and design turbulence long before reaching consumer driveways. A leaked Tesla report covered by WIRED, dated January 25, 2022, revealed that the preproduction “alpha” version struggled with fundamental design flaws spanning suspension, body sealing, noise levels, handling, and braking.
Public relations folklore cemented the vehicle’s rocky debut in November 2019 in California, when Musk threw a steel ball at the “unbreakable” glass windows on stage, shattering them twice. Musk swore and quipped, “There’s room for improvement.”
Cybertruck was an incredible technology development platform and lives on through Cybercab. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making the future looking like the future As well to the community of owners whose adventures I've enjoyed and will continue to follow ❤️ https://t.co/0nZoTJYC5o
Once on the road, the vehicle accumulated a laundry list of safety recalls:
- April 2024: A recall for an accelerator pedal pad that could come loose and get trapped by interior trim, potentially pushing the car to full speed.
- March of last year: A recall for nearly all produced Cybertrucks because a stainless steel trim panel could detach while driving due to the wrong type of glue. Tesla switched to a new adhesive “not prone to environmental embrittlement.”
- May: Cybertrucks faced a recall after the wrong type of grease caused wheels to potentially fall off.
- Brake Rotor Issues: The Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Cybertruck Long Range model faced an 11th recall involving faulty brake rotors. According to a notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA Recall Report), brake rotor stud holes could crack and allow studs to separate from the wheel hub.
Public and Political Reactions to the EV
In replies to Musk’s announcement, a user claiming to be a Tesla employee named James Star posted that it was “the saddest news! Cybertruck (was) the best car Tesla sold,” while a user named Captain Ford replied, “Fuck that shitbox.”
Even political figures bypassed the truck. Musk attempted to pitch the vehicle to Donald Trump by setting up an impromptu Tesla showroom on the White House South Lawn. Trump shunned the pickup in favor of a 200-mph Model S Plaid in ultra red, remarking of its interior that “Everything’s computer!”
Manufactured exclusively at Gigafactory Texas—reportedly the only facility equipped with the machinery required to weld and shape its unique stainless steel body, which has been documented to rust in some cases—the Cybertruck leaves behind an expensive legacy of engineering ambition that ultimately yielded to shifting company priorities and sliding consumer demand.
This is the saddest news! Cybertruck (was) the best car Tesla sold. I just had the opportunity to tour around Texas in a Cybertruck and it was the best car I’ve ever driven. pic.twitter.com/q2I8oazcsh
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Fuck that shitbox pic.twitter.com/UlSC1snwD3
