Key Points
- Tesla to end Cybertruck production by mid-2027 at Austin facility
- Kelley Blue Book estimates 20,237 Cybertrucks sold last year, down 50 per cent
- Musk cites need to increase Cybercab robotaxi production as reason
Tesla will wind down production of its Cybertruck at its Austin, Texas factory by mid-2027, CEO Elon Musk announced on Friday (6 November), as the electric vehicle maker shifts manufacturing capacity towards its Cybercab robotaxi.
Musk disclosed the decision in a brief post on X, stating that Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas would begin winding down around the middle of next year to accommodate increased Cybercab production. The announcement comes less than three years after Tesla began delivering the stainless-steel electric pickup truck.
The decision follows a decline in Cybertruck sales, which have fallen significantly short of Musk’s earlier projections. He had forecast annual production of 250,000 units, but automotive research firm Kelley Blue Book estimated that Tesla sold 20,237 Cybertrucks in 2025, roughly half the previous year’s figure. Sales during the first nine months of 2026 declined a further 28 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.
The Cybertruck attracted attention for its unconventional design, but sales remained below the volumes Tesla had initially projected. Automotive commentator Armen Hareyan, who runs the Torque News website, described the vehicle as a cultural symbol that attracted both admiration and criticism, according to the Associated Press.
Cybertruck launch
The Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019 with a design that departed from conventional pickup trucks. During the launch demonstration, a Tesla designer threw a metal ball at a window to demonstrate the strength of its glass, but the window shattered. A second attempt produced a similar result.
Despite the setback, Musk continued to defend the vehicle’s design. In a 2020 interview with Automotive News, he explained that his intention was to develop a futuristic vehicle resembling those seen in science-fiction films such as Blade Runner and Aliens while retaining the functionality of a pickup truck.
He also positioned the Cybertruck as a vehicle capable of competing with both high-performance sports cars and conventional pickups, comparing its capabilities with those of the Porsche 911 and Ford F-150.
The Cybertruck’s pricing also emerged as a challenge. Musk had initially promised a starting price below $40,000, but the first models were introduced at substantially higher prices, with some versions costing more than twice the originally projected amount.
The production wind-down comes as Tesla shifts greater attention towards autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence. Musk has positioned the Cybercab, a purpose-built autonomous robotaxi, as a central component of the company’s future business.
The Cybertruck has also faced quality-control concerns, multiple recalls and criticism over its relatively high selling price. Its design and specifications differ from those of conventional pickup trucks.
The vehicle also became associated with political controversy as Musk developed closer ties with right-wing political figures, including United States President Donald Trump.
Some Tesla owners publicly distanced themselves from Musk’s political positions, while protests were organised outside company showrooms. Several Tesla facilities, vehicles and charging stations were also targeted in incidents of vandalism and arson, according to media reports.
By the numbers
Key figures from this story- 20,237 units
- Cybertrucks sold last year per Kelley Blue Book
- 50%
- Sales decline from prior year
- Mid-2027
- Production end timeline
Tesla began delivering the Cybertruck in November 2023, four years after its initial unveiling. The vehicle was manufactured at the company’s Gigafactory Texas facility in Austin, where Tesla also plans to expand production of its Cybercab robotaxi.
Musk said Cybertruck production at the facility would begin winding down around the middle of 2027 to make room for Cybercab manufacturing. Tesla has not announced plans to shift Cybertruck production to another facility.
Your Questions, Answered
When will Tesla stop making the Cybertruck?
Tesla will cease Cybertruck production around mid-2027, according to an announcement by chief executive Elon Musk on 7 November 2026.
Why is Tesla ending Cybertruck production?
Musk said the production halt will allow Tesla to increase manufacturing of its Cybercab robotaxi, reflecting the company's strategic shift towards autonomous vehicles.
How many Cybertrucks did Tesla sell?
Kelley Blue Book estimated Tesla sold 20,237 Cybertrucks last year, down roughly 50 per cent from the prior year. Sales through September this year fell a further 28 per cent.
Where are Cybertrucks manufactured?
Tesla produces Cybertrucks at its facility outside Austin, Texas in the United States.
