Tesla winding down Cybertruck production at Texas Gigafactory

Tesla is set to stop manufacturing its electric Cybertruck pickup at the Texas Gigafactory, as confirmed by Elon Musk on X. Production of the vehicle is scheduled to wind down by the middle of 2027 to allow for increased output of the firm's forthcoming autonomous Cybercab. Unless the company decides to shift manufacturing to a different site, this stainless-steel truck could be approaching the end of its short but drama-filled existence.

Mr Musk did not clarify if Cybertruck production would be discontinued entirely. Given the vehicle's Ford Edsel-like sales and export issues, it would not be a surprise if the James Bond and Blade Runner-inspired vehicle is relegated to history's scrap heap.

When it was first unveiled in November 2019, the Cybertruck acquired a lot of buzz for being like no other pickup ever seen. However, as with other Elon Musk promises, things quickly went trapezoid-shaped. Tesla never came close to delivering on the promised $39,900 price tag, with the cheapest version eventually priced at $59,900.

The Cybertruck also faced multiple recalls and quality control complaints, while its controversial design, though loved by some, was widely derided. Consequently, Tesla has only sold around 71,000 Cybertrucks since deliveries started in late 2023, a far cry from the 250,000 per year the company originally projected.

In place of the Cybertruck, Tesla is allocating more capacity to the Cybercab autonomous robotaxi with no steering wheel and pedals. The success of that vehicle is also by no means guaranteed, given the current federal investigation into the vehicle and Tesla's lack of progress toward fully-autonomous self-driving after more than 10 years of trying.