The Cybertruck was supposed to be the next big thing from Tesla and Elon Musk. However, the sales figures are disappointing, and there are several reasons for this: Technical problems and Musk’s political adventures are hurting Tesla’s sales figures.
The Cybertruck is a futuristic vehicle from Tesla. Elon Musk introduced the truck as a prototype in 2019 and intended to usher in a new era of electric cars. After years of delays, series production began in July 2023 at the Gigafactory Texas.
However, the Cybertruck has not been particularly successful. The English-language magazine Forbes reports that the Cybertruck could become the biggest flop in automotive history.
Thousands of unsold Cybertrucks are waiting at dealerships to be bought
What do the sales figures look like? Despite Musk’s bold claims of selling 250,000 Cybertrucks annually and having a million reservations, Tesla sold only 6,400 Cybertrucks in the first quarter of 2025. Reports suggest, however, that there are still more than 10,000 unsold units sitting at dealerships that can’t sell the vehicle.
During a conference call in November 2023, just before the first vehicles were delivered to customers, he stated:
The demand exceeds all expectations. We have over 1 million people who have reserved the car.
In an effort to reduce inventory, Tesla launched a cheaper version with rear-wheel drive for $69,990 in April 2025, which is supposed to feature fewer functions than the standard model.
Quality issues and Musk’s political escapades hurt Tesla and the Cybertruck
What is the problem with the Cybertruck? The Cybertruck has not just one problem, but several that are hampering sales:
On one hand, the Cybertruck has a terrible reputation when it comes to quality: There have been eight recalls in the last 13 months. You can find a list of all recalls in the English-language magazine Mashable.com. Additionally, its polarizing look has earned it the nickname “driveable trash can.”
On the other hand, the Cybertruck has become a symbol of global protests against Tesla, which are severely impacting the brand. Elon Musk’s political adventures are now also harming the Tesla company. Already in November 2024, Musk’s father expressed concerns that his son’s political ambitions could hurt Tesla.
Moreover, political protests in the US have also targeted Tesla vehicles, triggering a brand crisis: There have already been a whole series of violent attacks on Tesla stores and vehicles worldwide, including several cases of arson and vandalism. Many individuals no longer want to drive a Tesla or are considering selling their vehicle.
Another point is the price: Musk had promised back then that a base version of the vehicle with a range of 250 miles (about 402 km) would start at $39,900. However, the official sale price is closer to around $80,000, roughly double the initial promise.
Declining sales figures and weak revenue. Tesla has presented its financial results, and they look anything but rosy. Tesla is also tempering expectations that things might improve in the next quarter: Plummeting sales figures, increasing protests, and a crisis have plunged Tesla’s finances into chaos.
