Elon Musk to kill off Tesla’s Cybertruck

 Elon Musk is to end production of Tesla’s Cybertruck after sales of the controversial electric pick-up proved a disappointment.

The electric carmaker’s chief executive signalled last night that production of the Cybertruck will wind down in 2027, making way for the business to produce more robotaxis at its Texas Gigafactory.

Posting on social media, Mr Musk said: “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.”

The announcement comes just three years after the Cybertruck first went on sale.

Mr Musk had hailed the three-ton vehicle as “bulletproof” and “apocalypse-proof”, while the company’s website promotes its “ultra-hard stainless-steel exoskeleton” and a range of up to 325 miles.

However, the truck’s high price dampened demand among motorists.

It was initially set to cost $39,999 (£30,600) but the cheapest version now starts at $60,000 (£45,900).

Tesla sold just 11,586 Cybertrucks in the first nine months of 2026, according to analysts Cox Automotive, far below Mr Musk’s previous predictions of 250,000 sales a year.

While Mr Musk had billed the pick-up as the ultimate off-road electric vehicle, the Cybertruck has suffered from a series of mishaps and faults before and after it went on sale.

When demonstrating the truck’s toughened glass during its 2019 launch event, a Tesla executive threw a ball bearing at its window, causing it to shatter.

Tesla has also been forced to issue recalls of the truck over braking issues and other problems, including the vehicle’s trim falling off.

Several trucks have been involved in accidents where they have burst into fireballs after a crash.

Mr Musk took the decision to end production as he attempts to revive Tesla by focusing on AI, robotics and driverless taxis, increasing production of its Cybercab vehicles and Optimus humanoid robots.

The company has launched ride-hailing services in a handful of US cities, while it is planning to build up to 125,000 autonomous electric cabs per year at its flagship Texas plant.

Shares in Mr Musk’s companies have plunged this week after the Democrats swung to victory in the US midterm elections, taking both the House and the Senate.

Tesla’s stock is down more than 12pc since Tuesday, while SpaceX is down 11pc. Mr Musk’s net worth plummeted by close to $80bn in one day on Thursday to around $785bn, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.