Tesla revises Cybertruck phase-out plan, extending production until late summer
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has changed the timetable for ending Cybertruck production in less than a week. The electric pickup was initially due to leave the production line in mid-2027, but the Texas factory will now continue building it until the end of the summer. Musk attributes the decision to unfilled orders, while acknowledging that extending production is not the most economically sensible move.
Three different deadlines in five days
Tesla will continue building the Cybertruck until the end of summer 2027 to fulfil as many existing orders as possible. As recently as 6 November, Musk spoke of ending production in the middle of the following year. Three days later, he clarified that the production line would close in about eight months and that Tesla would have to refund deposits to some customers. The production run is now being extended by roughly two to three months.
Musk acknowledged that the decision was not the best way to maximise profit, but said he believed there should also be room for sentiment in business.
Tesla did not, however, announce a precise new date for the end of production.
An order backlog does not mean strong sales
The Cybertruck's situation is contradictory. Musk speaks of a large number of orders, but actual sales figures fall far short of earlier targets. Tesla originally planned to produce up to 250,000 Cybertrucks a year. The factory's current rated production capacity exceeds 125,000 vehicles a year, but the actual sales pace is around 30,000 vehicles.
This means a lack of production capacity has not been the Cybertruck's main problem. However, the announcement that production would end may have increased last-chance buying interest. Buyers who previously hesitated now want to secure a vehicle before the model disappears.
Tesla has not disclosed the exact number of unfilled orders or their breakdown by version. It is therefore impossible to assess how much of the backlog represents actual buyers and how much consists of earlier reservations.
Tesla shifts its focus to the Cybercab
The main reason for ending Cybertruck production is Tesla's desire to free up production capacity at its Austin factory for the Cybercab robotaxi.
The Cybercab is a two-seat electric car with no steering wheel or pedals. Its business model is based on an autonomous transport service rather than conventional car sales.
Tesla hopes that robotaxis will offer greater long-term profit potential than the Cybertruck, with its complex design.
However, the Cybercab's broad commercial success has yet to be proven.
Continuing Cybertruck production for a few extra months therefore does not change the company's overall strategy. Tesla is increasingly focusing on autonomous transport and robotics while reducing its range of conventional passenger cars.
Could the Cybertruck become a collectors' car?
The Cybertruck's unusual stainless-steel body, limited sales success and what is set to be a relatively short production run could make it of interest to collectors in the future.
However, rarity does not automatically mean rising values. The Cybertruck's complex design, repair costs and limited usability outside North America could reduce demand on the used market.
The Cybertruck does not have standard type approval in Europe, and Tesla does not officially offer it there. Extending production therefore does not change the situation for European buyers.
The Cybertruck's fate illustrates a contradiction in Tesla's strategy. The company is ending production of a vehicle for which it once planned an annual output of a quarter of a million units, but for which actual demand fell far short of that figure.
The production extension gives some buyers a chance to receive the vehicle they want, but it will not save the model from discontinuation. For Tesla, the Cybercab's potential future earnings outweigh the case for continuing the Cybertruck.
