Elon Musk, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla, has seen disappointing sales of the Cybertruck, which he confidently claimed would be “the best product ever” before its launch. This is due to a series of defects and recall issues right from the start, compounded by the political risks associated with Musk.
According to registration data from S&P Global Mobility on the 8th (local time), Tesla sold approximately 7,100 Cybertrucks in the United States in the first quarter of 2025. Sales last year also fell below 40,000 units, just 16% of Musk’s annual target of 250,000.
In response to the sluggish sales, Tesla is offering various measures. In April, it launched the low-cost model “Long Range Single Motor (Long Range RWD)”. This model is the cheapest in the Cybertruck lineup and is sold at a price about $10,000 lower than existing models. Tesla is also offering various purchasing benefits, including 0% financing and free upgrades.
Tesla first unveiled a prototype of the Cybertruck in 2019. At the time, Tesla promised a driving range of over 500 miles (about 805 km), a towing capacity of over 14,000 pounds, and a price range of $39,900 to $69,990. This combination is rare in electric vehicles, and Musk confidently stated that the Cybertruck would be Tesla’s “best product ever.”
However, the price of the initial version, which began delivery in late 2023, reached about $100,000, and the expected driving range was around 318 miles, which significantly differed from the specifications promised by Tesla. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that it became clear internally around 2022 that Musk’s criteria could not be met, and engineers had to scrap the existing design and restart from scratch.
The Cybertruck has been embroiled in various defect controversies since its launch. Issues such as cracks in the front windshield or orange stains have been widely shared on social media (SNS). Tesla conducted seven recalls within the first year due to problems like warning systems and accelerators to resolve these defects. In March of this year, a problem arose where metal panels were falling off the vehicle, increasing the number of recalls to eight.
David Pick, a longtime Tesla customer who received his Cybertruck in March of this year, noted to the WSJ, “Elon Musk often said that the falcon doors of the Model X were his biggest mistake. However, it seems that the Cybertruck will end up being an even bigger failure.”
The crisis of the Cybertruck deepened as Musk engaged in political activities, including leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Donald Trump administration. Consumer backlash against Musk’s political activities escalated into a Tesla boycott, of which the Cybertruck was not exempt.
The WSJ stated, “The Cybertruck became a symbol of controversy intertwined with Musk’s political moves, and some owners experienced unpleasant situations such as having their vehicles vandalized or receiving middle fingers from other drivers.” It added, “Due to frequent recalls and manufacturing defects, owners have had to deal with repeated repairs, and the reputation of the Cybertruck has significantly deteriorated among Tesla fans.”