AI summary
Summary of article:
Musk announced that the Austin, Texas, factory would gradually cease production of the Cybertruck to free up production capacity and convert it to the Cybercab. However, Cybertruck sales remained weak and news of the discontinuation was seen as a signal that the model would be retired.
Tesla ceomusk On the 6th, a short message was posted on the X platform without any warning:texas The factory will stop production of the Cybertruck next year.
Musk did not specify whether he would stop production entirely or shift it to other production lines. He said only that the factory, located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, will “cease production” of the Cybertruck around mid-2027 to “make room” for the production of more self-driving taxis, the Cybercab.
The Associated Press quoted Wes Morrill, chief engineer of the Cybertruck project, in response to the X claiming that “Cybertruck is an incredible technology development platform and will continue its life through the Cybercab,” apparently meaning that the Cybertruck has come to an end.
In 2019, Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in dramatic fashion. It looks like the science fiction movie “Blade Runner” and will be launched on the market in 2023.
Musk once said in an interview that “I just want to make a futuristic tank, a car that looks like it came from the movie “Blade Runner” or “Alien”, but is also very practical.” He also called it “a better sports car than the Porsche 911”.
However, many criticized its ugly appearance. Former Tesla executive Spencer Penn explained, “This is a very controversial model, launched by a very controversial person, at a time when there was no real demand in the electric truck market.”
Musk has always had high expectations from the Cybertruck. At the 2023 shareholder meeting, he predicted that the car’s annual sales could reach 250,000 to 500,000 units. However, data shows that sales in the United States in 2025 will be 20,237 units, almost half less than last year. Sales declined further by 28% by the end of September this year.
The Cybertruck is undoubtedly a project into which Musk has put his heart and soul, and insists that it is Tesla’s best product. The closure of production now marks a sad end.
It is noteworthy that the successor CyberCab is also facing opposition. After the model began carrying passengers for a fee in Austin in September, it was inspected by the Highway Traffic Safety Administration for compliance. Democrat Gina Hinojosa became governor after the midterm elections in Texas, which may increase the problems for Musk.
Summary FAQ
-
he adds
-
Musk originally estimated that annual sales could reach 250,000 to 500,000 vehicles, but US sales in 2025 were only 20,237 vehicles, nearly half less than the previous year. By the end of September this year, they had fallen by a further 28%, which was clearly less than expected.
-
Although CyberCab is considered a new focus, it has been scrutinized by the Highway Traffic Safety Administration for compliance after it began charging passengers in Austin in September. Additionally, political changes in Texas could make it even more difficult for Musk to move forward with the layout.
