Tesla's Cybertruck sales plummeted 48% in 2025 to 20,237 units from 38,965 in 2024—the steepest decline among U.S. electric vehicles—per Cox Automotive and Kelley Blue Book data. The downturn, far below initial projections of 250,000 annual units, stemmed from multiple recalls, the end of $7,500 federal tax credits, affordability issues, design polarization, and Elon Musk-linked backlash, despite international expansion and a leading EV market share.
Launched in late 2023 after years of hype and over one million reservations, Tesla's Cybertruck—starting at $60,990 with a polarizing angular design inspired by Blade Runner—saw strong 2024 U.S. sales of nearly 39,000 units, topping electric pickups. However, 2025 marked a sharp reversal, with sales dropping to 20,237 units, including a 68% fourth-quarter plunge from about 13,000 to just over 4,100. This contrasted with CEO Elon Musk's unmet 2023 goal of 250,000 units annually and his later admission, 'We dug our own grave with the Cybertruck.' Tesla adjusted ambitions, targeting just 10% of original North American production goals.
The decline outpaced a softening EV market: Tesla's total 2025 deliveries fell 9% to 1.64 million from 1.79 million in 2024, while U.S. EV sales dipped 2% to 1.3 million. New EVs averaged $58,638 versus under $50,000 for gas vehicles. A congressional bill axed $7,500 tax credits for new and used EVs, and Tesla discontinued the entry-level Cybertruck trim, raising prices.
Mechanical woes triggered at least 10 recalls in under two years, including an eighth in 2025 for a detaching trim panel on 46,000 units (per NHTSA), plus issues with rearview cameras, wipers, and accelerator pedals. Critics cited usability problems in harsh weather.
Political controversy amplified challenges: Musk's role in the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency drew protests, including swastika vandalism on Cybertrucks in New York City and Brooklyn. The vehicle still outsold rivals like Rivian R1T (7,416 units) and Chevy Silverado EV (11,275) but trailed Ford's F-150 Lightning (27,307, later discontinued), ceding the top electric pickup spot.
Positives included Tesla's 46% U.S. EV market share and global push: 63 units delivered in the UAE at ~$110,000 each amid a Dubai light show, with orders open in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Israel, and South Korea—though regulatory barriers persist, e.g., in Europe. A 2026 Car and Driver review hailed it as 'an impressive piece of machinery' for performance. Analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities noted, 'It's been an uphill battle for sales, but a long demand curve ahead.' Tesla holds post-hype potential after clearing early reservations but did not comment on the data.
