Texas Gigafactory
Tesla sidelines Cybertruck as Cybercab takes centre stage
Tesla is scaling back Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas to make way for the Cybercab. With pickup sales falling short of expectations, Elon Musk is betting on autonomous vehicles as Tesla's next big manufacturing priority.
Tesla plans to scale back Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas by mid-2027 to free up manufacturing capacity for its autonomous Cybercab. CEO Elon Musk confirmed the plans on X, signalling a further shift in the company's manufacturing priorities towards autonomous mobility.
Cybertruck struggles to meet volume expectations
When Tesla launched the Cybertruck in late 2023, the electric pickup stood out for its unconventional design and stainless-steel body. Developed primarily for the North American market, the vehicle was intended to establish Tesla in the highly competitive pickup segment. However, its production ramp-up proved challenging, with manufacturing difficulties, quality issues and multiple recalls complicating the launch.
Demand has also fallen short of Tesla's initial ambitions. While the Cybertruck has occasionally ranked among the best-selling electric pickups in the US, sales volumes remain well below the company's original projections.
Tesla delivered approximately 486,500 vehicles globally in the third quarter of 2026, with the Model 3 and Model Y accounting for the vast majority. The Cybertruck is included in the company's 'Other Models' category, which recorded just 8,300 deliveries. That figure also includes the remaining inventory of the discontinued Model S and Model X, as well as the Tesla Semi, making it difficult to determine Cybertruck volumes precisely.
Cybercab takes priority at Gigafactory Texas
The planned reduction in Cybertruck output reflects Tesla's growing emphasis on autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence. The Cybercab is central to this strategy. Unveiled in 2024, the purpose-built two-seat robotaxi is designed to operate without conventional driving controls, including a steering wheel and pedals.
Reallocating production capacity at Gigafactory Texas would allow Tesla to prioritise the Cybercab as it prepares to scale manufacturing of autonomous vehicles. The move also raises questions about the Cybertruck's long-term role in Tesla's product portfolio, particularly given the gap between its original volume ambitions and actual demand.
For Tesla's manufacturing operations, the shift underlines a broader change in direction: rather than expanding production of its unconventional electric pickup, the company is increasingly directing resources towards vehicles designed around autonomous mobility.
