The futuristic stainless steel electric pick-up had three variants, with the entry-level starting at $69,990 (about £51,000). However, Elon Musk’s company has removed this budget-friendly option from its website, reportedly due to low buyer interest.
Primarily sold in North America, the Cybertruck is an all-electric workhorse built to transform long-distance driving. Featuring an 'ultra-hard stainless-steel exoskeleton,' it promises exceptional resistance to dents, damage, and corrosion. Yet, despite the hype, the Cybertruck risks becoming one of the biggest flops in automotive history as sales fall short of Musk’s expectations.
The launch wasn’t smooth, as early complaints targeted performance and safety after the truck finally hit the market in 2023 following several delays. The reveal event back in 2019 was infamous for its broken windows, adding to a rocky start. The cheaper 'Long Range' variant, launched in April 2025, omitted key features such as the rear lightbar, active air suspension, and rear infotainment display but still commanded a hefty price tag akin to a house deposit in the UK.
According to reports, this stripped-down model failed to attract buyers and vanished from Tesla’s site. Customers are now left with two pricier options starting at $79,990 (£58,500) and $114,990 (£84,200), offering quicker acceleration, slightly longer ranges, and higher payload capacities.
Tesla hasn’t publicly explained the removal, but sources indicate sales were well below projections. In the second quarter of 2025, Tesla sold just 4,306 Cybertrucks—over 50% fewer than the same period in the previous year. This dwarfs Elon Musk’s original production goal of 250,000 units annually, which he believed could double.
Industry watchers speculate that the remaining models may be next to disappear, potentially marking the end of the Cybertruck line. On social media, opinions vary from acceptance that the Cybertruck never had broad appeal to criticism that the $69,990 price didn’t justify missing features.
The Cybertruck’s design stands apart with its wedge shape and stainless steel body, dubbed its 'exoskeleton.' Initially unveiled in 2019, the launch was clouded by the infamous window-breaking incident. Production was slated for 2021, then delayed to 2022, and finally began shipping in late 2023.
Notably, the Cybertruck is unavailable in the UK or mainland Europe due to its non-compliance with local size and safety regulations.
Elon Musk’s timeline for the Cybertruck has included ambitious pronouncements—from calling it 'shatterproof' to boasting it can even serve as a boat. Despite these bold claims, the reality has been more challenging, with a tough design and build process cited by Musk himself.
Tesla’s bold vision for the Cybertruck faces an uncertain future after the swift removal of its cheapest variant. What was intended to be a game-changing electric pickup now struggles to find its footing as a mass-market vehicle.
