Facepalm: Tesla appears to be killing off the Cybertruck, and according to Elon Musk, the reason isn't that almost nobody is buying them. The CEO says production of the EV will start winding down around the middle of next year to make room for something more important: increased Cybercab production.
Musk's explanation is raising plenty of skepticism. The real reason is more likely that the truck just isn't selling anywhere near as well as Tesla or Musk expected.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2026
Electrek writes that Tesla lumps the Cybertruck into the "other models" segment of its sales reports, along with the Model S, Model X, and now the Semi. A total of 8,295 vehicles in this category were delivered in Q3 2026, down 48% year over year. With Model S and Model X production ending in April, Electrek estimates that 7,000 to 8,000 Cybertrucks were delivered during the quarter.
It's certainly not the first time the controversial EV has reportedly sold in very small numbers. With that estimate implying an annual sales pace of around 30,000 trucks, it's a long way off the 250,000 Musk originally expected Tesla to produce each year.
Cox Automotive offers an even lower US estimate: 4,323 Cybertrucks in Q3, bringing the nine-month total to 11,586.
The warning signs have been there for some time. It was reported last year that Cybertruck sales fell to just 4,306 in Q2 2025, down 50.8% from a year earlier. By October, truckloads were arriving at SpaceX and xAI, giving Tesla a convenient outlet for vehicles that ordinary buyers weren't exactly lining up to purchase.
There have been plenty of problems beyond weak demand, too. Buyers have also had to contend with recalls, including an accelerator pedal cover that could become trapped in the interior trim. The Cybertruck has had 11 US safety recalls as of November 6, 2026, including software fixes delivered over the air. The most recent was in April 2026, covering 173 trucks with 18-inch steel wheels because wheel studs could separate from the hubs
Resale values haven't offered much comfort, either. Last year, trade-in depreciation reached 34% after just one year and 6,000 miles. So much for holding its value.
There is one caveat to the apparent cancellation: Reuters notes that Musk hasn't said whether production will move elsewhere or end altogether. However, Texas is currently the only known Tesla facility equipped to manufacture the truck's specialized components.
For now, Musk is betting on the Cybercab, which has no steering wheel or pedals. Tesla began offering paid rides in Austin in September, though questions over federal safety compliance remain a thorn in the company's side.
Tesla is winding down Cybertruck production, but Elon Musk insists poor sales aren't the reason
