Tesla Cybertruck production discontinued: Elon Musk faces fresh setback after spending $446 million backing Republicans in midterm elections

After Elon Musk set spending record as he poured $446m into campaigns for failed Republican candidates, there's another setback for the tech billionaire. He announced that Tesla will wind down production of its Cybertruck vehicles at its Texas factory next year. The decision came as the futuristic model, once touted as a rival to legacy pickup trucks, has been struggling to win mass-market appeal, according to a report in Reuters.

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In a post on X, a platform he owns, Elon Musk said production wind-down would enable the automaker to accommodate increased output of its newly launched Cybercab model, which the billionaire has made central to Tesla's robotaxi ambitions. He did not reveal whether it plans to stop making them entirely or shift production elsewhere, but did say the decision was to "make room" for building more of its self-driving Cybercab cars.


"Cybertruck fleet will be around for a ​long time," Musk said in response to a user on X, calling the model the "best vehicle Tesla has ever made" and the wind-down the "end of an era".

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Why is Tesla stopping the production of Cybertrucks?

Popular for its distinctive angular looks, the Cybertruck attracted diehard fans, but was beset by delays before being launched in 2023. The sales number do not look convincing since. Tesla fans have been mourning the news online, with one person calling it "the best vehicle Tesla has ever made" as he lamented it being "discontinued next year". During the launch of Cybertrucks in 2023, Musk touted it as a futuristic competitor to pickup trucks from ​General Motors and Ford, but the vehicle has struggled to meet those expectations.

According to news agency Reuters, the Cybertruck's unusual, sharp-edged stainless-steel design has divided opinions and made it difficult to attract buyers outside the US. Tesla has also struggled to get regulatory approval in some European countries, preventing it from selling the pickup in major markets that could have boosted sales. The vehicle has also faced several recalls and quality-control problems. Tesla has changed its prices multiple times, too.

Tesla does not release separate sales figures for the Cybertruck. Instead, it includes the vehicle in its "Other Models" category. This category recorded 8,295 deliveries in the third quarter, down from 12,364 in the second quarter, according to the company's figures.

Cybertuck's multiple recalls

The Cybertruck has faced several recalls over the years. In 2025, Tesla recalled more than 46,000 Cybertrucks because a part of the vehicle's exterior trim could come loose and fall off.

The vehicle's high price has also made it difficult to attract buyers. Musk had earlier told Wall Street analysts that Tesla needed to make the Cybertruck affordable for customers. The fully equipped model was priced at around $61,000 at the time. However, in 2026, the top-end Cyberbeast version costs around $102,000, making it an expensive option for buyers.

Musk loses billions in net worth after Republicans lose Congress

Elon Musk set a record for election spending this year after pouring nearly half a billion dollars into backing Republicans in the US midterm elections. It turned out to be a poor investment. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO spent at least $446 million supporting Republican groups during the elections. He focused much of his spending on key Senate races to help the Trump administration keep Republicans in control of Congress.

This was more than the nearly $290 million he spent during the 2024 elections. However, Democrats won several major races across the country on Tuesday night, meaning Musk's spending did little to help Republicans achieve their goals. On the election night, Musk jokingly posted, “Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” but the top Republican mega-donor was otherwise largely silent on the results.

On the other hand, House Democrats have called for investigations into Musk's actions as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last year. They have also promised to closely examine federal funding given to his companies.