Despite Elon Musk’s bold statements, the Tesla Cybertruck has officially been considered a failure.

Cybertruck “disillusioned” in harsh reality

Tesla is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to releasing sales figures for individual models, so it’s hard to tell how disappointing the unique electric pickup truck actually is.

Based on Tesla’s Q2 sales report: from April to June this year, the company delivered about 384,000 vehicles globally, down 13.5% year-over-year, a record sharp decline.
A Cybertruck at a Tesla dealership in New York. Photo: Getty Images
Digging deeper into the data, Tesla’s situation is even worse.

Tesla doesn’t break out sales of the Cybertruck (a high-end vehicle that Musk says was inspired by the sci-fi movie Blade Runner). Instead, it breaks down the numbers into two groups: the Model 3 and Model Y; and “other”—which likely includes the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck.

In Q2, Tesla said it delivered about 10,400 vehicles in the “other” category, down sharply from 21,500 in the same period last year. A 52% free fall—there’s no other word for it than “crash.”

The data doesn’t say exactly how many of those 10,400 vehicles were Cybertrucks.

However, in the first quarter of 2024, Tesla delivered about 12,900 units of the “other” category, of which 7,100 were Cybertrucks, according to vehicle registration data from S&P Global Mobility — more than half.

If this trend continues, Tesla could sell only around 5,000–6,000 Cybertrucks in Q2, a disappointingly low number that even lags behind the Ford F-150 Lightning and electric pickups from GM, competitors that aren’t as hyped as Musk’s Cybertruck.

Even under the extremely optimistic assumption that all 10,400 “other models” are Cybertrucks, Tesla is still seriously behind Musk’s goal of 250,000 vehicles per year by 2025.

It’s now halfway through 2025, and Tesla hasn’t even hit a fraction of that goal.

Why did Cybertruck fail?

A number of reasons could explain why the Cybertruck has failed so miserably: A hefty price tag of $80,000 to $100,000; EV tax incentives that are about to expire; An odd design that many consider unaffordable; Multiple recalls, including a defect where the exterior steel fell off while the vehicle was being driven; Real-world range of just 200 miles, far short of the 500 miles initially promised; No range extender as advertised; Elon Musk’s image as controversial and far-right; Becoming a symbol of the MAGA movement, causing division and becoming a target of vandalism…
CEO Elon Musk unveils Cybertruck at TeslaDesign Studio in Hawthorne, California, US. Photo: USA TODAY | Reuters
The Cybertruck was marketed as a rugged pickup truck, but many reviews found that it failed to meet the basic criteria of a traditional pickup truck. It struggled to tow, lift, climb hills, or operate effectively in rough terrain like sand, snow, or mud. Many videos circulating on social media showed the Cybertruck getting stuck or needing to be pulled out of difficult situations by other vehicles (like a Ford F-150), undermining Musk’s claim that it was the “best off-road truck.”

In addition, with its angular design and stainless steel exterior, the Cybertruck has a unique appearance but does not really suit the needs of pickup truck users. Many users think that it is more of a cultural icon than a practical vehicle. This design also makes it difficult to use in some countries because it does not comply with pedestrian safety regulations.

Some users have reported that the stainless steel body is prone to rust, although Tesla denies this. Additionally, the glass, which is advertised as “bulletproof,” is prone to cracking in real-world situations, such as hail. These issues have undermined the car’s reliability in the eyes of consumers.

On top of that, the Cybertruck has faced eight recalls in the 13 months since its launch in late 2023, including serious issues like a stuck accelerator pedal that could put the vehicle at risk of accelerating. A recent recall involved cantrail panels that were peeling off due to faulty adhesive, requiring immediate repairs on 46,906 Cybertrucks. These issues are not only dangerous, but they also severely damage Tesla’s reputation.

Many owners reported that their Cybertrucks suddenly stopped working altogether, adding to frustration about the product’s reliability.

The high price tag is also a major blow to the Cybertruck’s market reach. When it was announced in 2019, the Cybertruck was promised to start at around $39,900. However, the actual launch price ranged from $60,990 to nearly $100,000 for the Cyberbeast version, double the original estimate. This left many who had pre-ordered the vehicle (more than 1 million orders according to Musk) disappointed and canceled their orders.

Used Cybertruck values ​​have dropped significantly, with some selling for less than $70,000, well below their original price. This reflects low demand and rapid depreciation of the product.

The Cybertruck has also faced production issues ranging from battery shortages to manufacturing process difficulties. Deliveries are set to begin in late 2023 after years of delays, but Tesla is still struggling to scale up production. Analysts expect Tesla to deliver only about 2,000 to 3,000 vehicles in the final quarter of 2023 and 75,000 in 2024, well below Musk’s target of 250,000 vehicles per year by 2025.

Tesla wobbles

Tesla has had a tough year, with its share price falling below $150, wiping out all of its gains over the past year.

The Cybertruck may not be Tesla’s downfall, but it certainly reflects the broader crisis the company is facing.

Rivals like Rivian, Ford and GM are slowly gaining market share, while Chinese companies, especially BYD, are making strong gains in Europe and Asia.

Tesla is at risk of losing its global No. 1 position in electric vehicles to BYD, a Chinese automaker that sold 1 million EVs in the first 6 months of 2025, far surpassing Tesla’s 721,000.

Tesla shares are down 17% this year, but are still up nearly 300% over the past five years.

For Tesla’s “vital” investors, the failure of the Cybertruck may not matter, because Musk has convinced them that Tesla’s future lies in AI and fully autonomous vehicles.

However, history shows that Elon Musk ‘s promises often fall short, and the Cybertruck is just the latest example of that.

While the Cybertruck may still appeal to certain customer groups, it has failed to live up to expectations of being a revolutionary product or leading the electric pickup market.