Cyberflop? Tesla’s $800M Cybertruck Stockpile Has Everyone Talking (And Not in a Good Way)
By Nik J. Miles | Automotive Journalist | Test Miles Syndicate
Q: What do you get when you cross a stainless-steel doorstop with a moon buggy and a midlife crisis?
A: The Tesla Cybertruck. And unfortunately for Elon Musk, it appears the future has arrived—uninvited, overpriced, and unsold.
In a twist worthy of a Greek tragedy (or at least a particularly grim Top Gear segment), Tesla’s boldest bet is now sitting still—quite literally. Over 10,000 unsold Cybertrucks are gathering dust across factory lots and delivery centers, representing a financial lead weight worth roughly $800 million. That’s the GDP of a small island nation—or a very expensive mistake in brushed steel.
Q: Didn’t Tesla have over a million preorders?
Yes, and I have a gym membership I haven’t used since the Obama administration. Preorders are not sales—especially when they’re backed by refundable $100 deposits and a healthy dose of impulsive optimism.
Back in 2019, the Cybertruck debuted like a dystopian fever dream: angular, armored, and allegedly bulletproof (though famously not window-proof). Musk promised a 500-mile range, sub-$40K starting price, and a production plan to rival Ford’s F-series. Enthusiasts lined up virtually in droves—1.6 million reservations, by Tesla’s count.
But like your New Year’s resolution to run a marathon, only a sliver of those ambitions materialized. Tesla has delivered fewer than 40,000 Cybertrucks since launch, and Q1 2025 saw a sobering 6,400 sales. That’s less a “runaway success” and more “runaway from the showroom.”
Q: Why aren’t they selling?
Let’s count the ways, shall we?
- Range Reality Check: That fabled 500-mile range? Vaporware. The best Cybertruck offers 320 miles—roughly the same as a Ford F-150 Lightning. Tesla promised a range-extending battery module for an extra $16K, but it has since been unceremoniously axed. Even Pushing Pistons wouldn’t call that an upgrade—it’s more like buying a 4K TV and discovering it only plays VHS.
- Price Creep: The original base model was teased at $39,900. Fast-forward to delivery day, and you’re shelling out $60,990—before destination fees. The Cyberbeast trim? A cool $99,990. That’s not “electric mobility for the masses”; that’s more like “cyber tax for the Silicon Valley elite.”
- Design Divide: There’s no polite way to say this, so I’ll use the British method: it’s a bit Marmite. Some call it revolutionary. Most call it hideous. From the exposed angular panels to the Lego-on-steroids silhouette, it’s less Mad Max and more Mad Mistake.
- Musk Fatigue: Love him or loathe him, Elon Musk has become increasingly polarizing. His political associations—most notably with the Trump administration—have alienated swaths of would-be buyers. As the New York Times dryly noted, “The truck isn’t the only thing with sharp edges.”
- Quality Control? Or Lack Thereof: Eight recalls in under a year. Consumer Reports called it “the most disappointing EV of the year.” A viral clip showed a Cybertruck losing a panel on the highway. Hardly the stuff of legendary build quality.
Q: Is this just part of a larger Tesla slump?
Absolutely. Tesla’s total deliveries are down nearly 13% year-over-year. The once-inevitable march of Musk’s empire now feels more like a wobble. EV competition is surging—from Hyundai’s Ioniq line to the Rivian R1T. Consumers have options. And increasingly, they’re choosing not to drive a metal trapezoid.
Q: Could Tesla rebound?
Sure. This is Tesla, after all—a company that’s dodged more bullets than its Cybertruck was supposed to. Price cuts may stir demand. A new entry-level model is expected mid-year. And there’s still cachet in the brand among tech-forward consumers. But the Cybertruck is beginning to look like Tesla’s Hummer moment: a misunderstood, oversized relic of hubris.
Q: What happens next? Could Tesla kill the Cybertruck?
Rumors abound. Production lines have already slowed. Staff have been reallocated. Analysts are whispering the unthinkable: that the Cybertruck may join the Model X in the “what were we thinking?” wing of Tesla’s Hall of Regret.
Whether Tesla doubles down or quietly phases it out, one thing is clear: the Cybertruck, once the poster child of EV ambition, is now a cautionary tale of overpromise, underdeliver, and overdesign.
Final Verdict?
The Cybertruck isn’t a total loss—just a lesson. Style without substance is a gamble. And in the car world, even icons have to earn their keep. Elon Musk said it best back in 2019: “The future is going to look like this.” He might have been right. But for now, it looks like 10,000 unsold trucks—and counting.
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