CyberTruck low sale numbers

[TyPope]

I think some are laboring under the mistaken impression that a 20% smaller Cybertruck would be 20% cheaper.

Now, a conventional-ish looking mid-size truck with the same or slightly better range would probably sell pretty well if it were in the $40k range. But probably not a Cybertruck Light. You'd end up with a truck with a too-small bed and not much interior space.

Tesla was never going to get Ford and Chevy and Dodge truck guys to jump ship from their brand of choice unless Tesla offered something VERY different. Hence, the Cybertruck.

I don't think people realize how "small" the CT actually is:

Item ---- Cybertruck ----- Silverado ----- F-150
Length ----- 232"------------241.2"-------243.9" (I used closest to 6' bed offered)
Width-------79.8"------------81"---------79.9"
Wheelbase--149.9"-----------146"--------145"
Height--------75"------------74"---------75.6"
Weight------6,500#--------5,800#------5,540# (I used the max for everyone)

She is a chonky girl.

And just because I was curious:
The 2025 Tesla Model Y measures approximately 187.8 inches long, 75.6 inches wide, 64 inches high, with a wheelbase of 113.8 inches.

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[AlDente]

Well (and it's a deep one), I placed a Cybertruck DM reservation on Dec 3rd 2019. By the time it came out in late 2023 with the final configs and pricing, I was concerned especially with the stupid Foundation Series customer gouging. Had they not done that, and held that position for so long things might have been very different.

Imagine a launch with all three options (single, dual, tri) available, the bench front seat option, no celebrity nor influencer line cutting and at inflation adjusted prices? I think we would have seen much higher reservation take rates and general public adoption.

This thing wasn't the damn cobbled together Roadster (horrible car BTW) and the market was 180 degrees different, but Tesla (Elon) decided to market it to the Roadster crowd, not the average Tesla owner. In fact, the Cybertruck FS was a slap in the face of the common man/woman.

So, over 6 years later here I am with a Cybertruck DM order in progress and damned if I'm not like a little kid waiting for Xmas. I had taken 3 demo drives over the last two years and the final one on Feb 5th 2026 was the most impactful. By this point many of the complaints so poorly described by the OP had been resolved. The Cybertruck was very well put together inside and out and it drove like my other Tesla's only better. The ride, handling, power and cabin noise were at luxury sedan levels and the new technology aspects make it a truly revolutionary vehicle.

Ironically, the most important aspect of the 2026 Cybertruck for me is a fully functional FSD. FSD has made cars I love to drive, unnecessary to drive. I will get amazing utility out of the Cybertruck going on long road trips letting FSD do all the boring parts. I arrive at my destination relaxed, refreshed and ready to use some of the toys I am able to cart along with me (ebikes). I can also explore back country locations and drive just as comfortably as on city streets and highways.

The Cybertruck will be my daily driver and road trip exploration vehicle for the next 20+ years. My three prior Tesla's and the way they engineered and built the Cybertruck gives me high confidence in choosing it as perhaps my last vehicle purchase (I'm 74).

Another irony is I don't care for the looks of the Cybertruck nor do I like anything about Elon's very strange behavior but really, he isn't Tesla. To me Tesla is all the thousands of people who work brilliantly and very hard in producing the best made in America products in our history. I am happy to support this amazing accomplishment regardless of the behaviour of one man.

 

[TyPope]

All this online stuff has really made people care about sales figures for a car. Bottom line: if you like it, buy it. If you hate it, don't. Basing my purchasing decisions on things that have no effect on me is silly. If we all started basing our purchases on the behaviors of CEOs and billionaires, we wouldn't be able to buy anything.

Unless... you ever want to sell it. Then, it'd be nice to have something other people want.

 

[Fugue]

It's all about the money and Elon knows it. The political stuff didn't help sales much either.
That being set aside, he only has only one thing on his mind. Multi-Planet civilization. The learnings on the cybertruck (drive by wire, high voltage efficiencies, stainless steel body manufacturing) were all for space travel. Sending driverless trucks to other plants to move cargo? Drive by wire helped with that. The stainless steel body should work in space. The high voltage helps with production efficiencies and charging. The software for tuning for different terrains will also help. This is likely why he is keeping the cybertruck in production.

Also, Optimus fits perfectly into this vision.

 

[AlDente]

The $82k MSRP is the #1 barrier to entry for those interested in a Cybertruck.

With a median yearly income of $62k the Cybertruck is well beyond the reach of the average American.

"Beyond the grasp of a common man" was the advertising slogan of a large luxury boat builder in the 1970's. It is a perfect marketing approach for arrogant assholes. Truth is, the list of unaffordable things for that income level is very long.

 

[ςyb3®tЯμ¢kℓ|gh†n!ng]

Also, Optimus fits perfectly into this vision.

Yep, they will build the bases and factories and the do initial scouting and reconnaissance. All of this will be funded mostly by older individuals with extra cashflow and a need for a in-home servant that can do stuff for them and blue-collar needs.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I am trying to say like a post above there is a untapped market for a smaller EV truck and it did not need to look like a mini-CT, line for line. Could have some of the CT features if they wanted but did not have to be a clone that is just smaller.

Many of you post about F-150 or Chevy full size. But the point was why not build a smaller then full size truck as it is a market that is really there. Just look at the numbers of the Maverick which is in no way a full size truck but yet can do at least some truck stuff to a point.

I am not sure Tesla/Elon even care about cars/trucks anymore except to be autonomous in the future.

If you like your CT great and enjoy it to the max each week. Do not worry about what others think.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

Most of the 1M+ reservations failed to convert to sales for 3 main reasons:

1. Price
2. Price
And
3. Price

And range. Many of us aren’t price conscious but pricing for an AWD CT is now lower than any fully optioned Ford Platinum or King Ranch and they sell multiples of the CT.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I don't grasp "Range Anxiety" anymore. I can understand the fear of being stuck with no way to charge, but that's really not a thing anymore with the vast DCFC network (although there's obviously some charge-deserts that still need addressing).

If my range drops to 100mi because I'm towing, then I'll stop every 100mi to charge. So what?

Except at max towing capacity it can’t do 100 miles.

 

[Loudness]

I am trying to say like a post above there is a untapped market for a smaller EV truck and it did not need to look like a mini-CT, line for line. Could have some of the CT features if they wanted but did not have to be a clone that is just smaller.

Many of you post about F-150 or Chevy full size. But the point was why not build a smaller then full size truck as it is a market that is really there. Just look at the numbers of the Maverick which is in no way a full size truck but yet can do at least some truck stuff to a point.

I am not sure Tesla/Elon even care about cars/trucks anymore except to be autonomous in the future.

If you like your CT great and enjoy it to the max each week. Do not worry about what others think.

You're describing Simone Giertz's Truckla

 

[hemiarch]

One more point about rushing to conclusions about the Cybertruck rollout. Its role in the Tesla lineup is about to change substantially with the discontinuation of the S and X.
I know I can’t predict what making it Tesla’s most premium offering will do to sales.

 

[4ied]

Most of the 1M+ reservations failed to convert to sales for 3 main reasons:

1. Price
2. Price
And
3. Price

This was me. I had a reservation and had it refunded. Price is still a concern, not because I can't swing it, but it does elevate the purchase into pure luxury territory. Still, I'm picking up my AWD Cybertruck this Friday.

What changed?
1. I rented one on Turo for almost 2 weeks last summer. The vehicle is awesome and I was able to confirm for myself it's a very competent road tripper.
2. My lovely wife helped my 2001 BMW 740il into an early grave. RIP. (I bought it used for $5700, low miles and great condition.)
3. I can't replace my old BMW without spending a ton of cash anyway. The e38's are a rare breed, especially ones that have been taken care of.

The Cybertruck is more comfortable to drive, handles better than my old BMW in every way, and FSD is amazing. So I justified the spend.

Wider adoption is going to require lower price and more range when towing. I don't need to tow almost at all, but it's a stigma all BEV trucks have to overcome to achieve general acceptance.

 

[AverageJoe]

I don't grasp "Range Anxiety" anymore. I can understand the fear of being stuck with no way to charge, but that's really not a thing anymore with the vast DCFC network (although there's obviously some charge-deserts that still need addressing).

If my range drops to 100mi because I'm towing, then I'll stop every 100mi to charge. So what?

I actually have more range anxiety driving gas cars now. What do you mean it doesnt know when and where I need to fill up?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I like the TruckLA video and actually that would work for what I need I think.

Any idea you Tesla people what they used to make that?

But it looks like it could fit my hay bales and lumber I do now and then.... And since it is only me and the misses only need 2 seats......

Hate to think how much it cost to modify that to the TruckLA.

Would Tesla still honor the warranty if you did something like that with a NEW model 3 or Y?

 

[RustyEdges]

Amazing
Over 40 replies to a post by a Ford owner, no hate Ziggy (I was a Ford driver for over 20 years, company is over 100 years old, possibly #1 in recalls)! I'm glad you have a great group of mindful CT/Tesla owners to discuss the issues. Most posts by CT owners barely get 15 replies.

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