Tesla to Halt Cybertruck Production in 2027, Shifting Focus to Cybercab Robotaxi

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company will discontinue the production of its Cybertruck around mid-2027. This decision comes as the highly anticipated electric vehicle has not met significant expectations. Instead, Tesla will prioritize increasing the output of its Cybercab robotaxi, according to a statement from Mr. Musk on his X platform. "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," he stated, without elaborating further.

The Cybertruck, initially unveiled in 2019, was promoted as a robust, durable, and potentially bulletproof pickup truck. Tesla had projected annual sales of up to 250,000 units. However, the vehicle struggled to gain traction due to several factors, including a failure to adhere to initial price promises, exacerbated by escalating production costs that pushed the price from an initial $39,900 to as high as $100,000. Additional challenges included its unconventional design and safety concerns. Industry estimates suggest Tesla sold approximately 50,000 Cybertrucks, falling considerably short of its sales targets. A notable incident during its 2019 launch involved the shattering of its windows during a live durability test.

The Cybertruck's production was intended to be Tesla's next major venture following the success of its electric sedans, which have propelled the company to become one of the world's most valuable and elevated Mr. Musk to the top of global wealth rankings. Online tests by consumers, comparing the Cybertruck against established pickup trucks in demanding scenarios and verifying its bulletproof claims, yielded mixed results, leading to questions about its quality and practicality.

In addition to the Cybercab plans, Tesla recently introduced its next-generation Roadster. The top-tier version of this model is equipped with built-in thrusters, developed by Mr. Musk's other company, SpaceX, enabling it to achieve flight. The new Roadster, slated for production in 2028, is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in one second, a significant improvement over the first-generation model. Tesla has begun accepting reservations for the Roadster, with initial refundable deposits varying by region, including Dh20,000 ($4,847) in the UAE, followed by additional payments for the Performance and Thrust models. The