Tesla's Cybertruck sales have fallen sharply in 2025, prompting deliveries of hundreds of the vehicles to Elon Musk's other companies, SpaceX and xAI. Reports indicate SpaceX has received truckloads at its Texas facilities, with thousands more expected. This move helps clear inventory as overall electric vehicle sales face challenges.
Tesla sold 5,385 Cybertrucks in the third quarter of 2025, according to Cox Automotive estimates, marking a 63 percent decline from over 14,000 units in the same period of 2024. In the second quarter, sales were 4,306 units, down 50 percent year-over-year, pushing the Cybertruck to third place in electric pickup rankings behind the Ford F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV, though one report places it second ahead of General Motors and Rivian models. Cumulative sales for 2025 stand at just over 16,000, far below Elon Musk's earlier prediction of 250,000 annually and against an expected total of around 20,000 for the year, compared to 50,000 in 2024.
The broader electric vehicle market saw 438,487 units sold in the third quarter, up 40.7 percent from the prior quarter and 29.6 percent year-over-year, driven by buyers rushing before the $7,500 federal tax credit expired on September 30. However, the Ford F-150 Lightning led electric trucks with 10,005 sales.
Amid the slump, attributed to the Cybertruck's controversial design and high price, Tesla has redirected unsold inventory. Electrek reported hundreds of Cybertrucks delivered to SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, and the Starlink factory in Bastrop, Texas, over the past week, with hundreds or thousands more anticipated. Truckloads also went to xAI's offices. These vehicles will serve SpaceX's engineering and operations staff, replacing internal combustion engine fleets.
Tesla is absorbing some into its own mobile service fleet, as confirmed by sightings of branded trucks. Wes Morrill, Cybertruck lead engineer, posted on X: “Love to see the ICE support fleets from Tesla and SpaceX get replaced with Cybertruck. When we were engineering it, this was always part of the dream. Never imagined how hard the fleet photos at Starbase would go. Looking forward to more of this.” This strategy props up sales figures while utilizing the trucks within Musk's companies.