Elon Musk Puts the Brakes on Cybertruck Production to Focus on Tesla's Cybercab, Disappointing Diehard Fans

Elon Musk has confirmed plans to wind down production of the Cybertruck at Tesla's gigafactory in Texas.

“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,” Musk tweeted today .

Musk’s tweet left the door open to further production elsewhere, but Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill then suggested that Cybertruck was being discontinued. “Cybertruck was an incredible technology development platform and lives on through Cybercab,” he tweeted . “Thanks to everyone who contributed to making the future looking like the future. As well to the community of owners whose adventures I've enjoyed and will continue to follow.”

Tesla Cybertruck Official Release - Slideshow

The angular Cybertruck launched in 2023 to much fanfare, but sales have been poor. Indeed, the truck has suffered online ridicule ever since it was introduced in 2019, when Musk himself shattered its supposed unbreakable glass during a live demo.

Musk’s announcement was met with a mixture of mocking social media posts and mourning from Tesla devotees. “Did even last five years. Pathetic,” one person said. “It was already a bad enough day without this news. I need a second one!” another said.

In a tweet reply to one disappointed fan, Musk insisted the Cybertruck fleet “will be around for a long time.” Morrill replied to a fan who said they felt like "I lost a child" to say that Tesla would maintain spare parts and service support would continue.

Earlier this year, amid slow sales and tough questions about Cybertruck, Musk said it was "way more awesome than people realise." In April, the tech billionaire said Cybertruck was the "best product Tesla has ever made to date.”

The focus, now, is on Cybercab , which Musk has said will play a crucial role in Tesla’s robotaxi plans. According to Reuters , the two-seater robotaxi is still a small program, with production beginning only earlier this year. Tesla has listed an installed capacity of more than 125,000 units.

Wesley is IGN's Managing Editor. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.