Jerry Jackson Tesla’s Cybertruck is facing significant challenges less than two years after its launch. The vehicle’s resale values have fallen sharply, with many owners experiencing losses of up to 40 percent compared to their original purchase prices. Tesla is now offering buyback options, but the amounts offered remain low. At the same time, production is slowing as unsold inventory piles up and demand weakens.
Owners of early “Foundation Series” Cybertrucks, initially priced around $100,000, are receiving trade-in offers from Tesla between $60,000 and $65,000. The more expensive “Cyberbeast” model, which originally cost $127,000, is now valued at about $78,200. Tesla has added a free transfer of its Full Self-Driving package to new purchases as an incentive, but many sellers find this does not compensate for the financial loss.
Private sales of used Cybertrucks have not offered much better returns. Listings on popular sites like Car Gurus show only slightly higher prices, and buyer interest remains low. This downturn is surprising for a brand like Tesla, which has historically maintained strong resale values over time.
The Cybertruck’s futuristic design, once celebrated for its innovation, is now facing criticism. Concerns have been raised about the vehicle’s practicality and quality. Several recalls and Elon Musk’s controversial public behavior have also hurt the vehicle’s reputation. What was seen as a bold new approach is increasingly viewed by some as a mistake.
Tesla is reportedly holding hundreds of millions of dollars worth of unsold Cybertrucks. This growing inventory, combined with weaker sales, has led the company to prepare for a possible production pause. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 Lightning has surpassed the Cybertruck in electric pickup sales in the United States.
Following recent problems with his social media platform, Elon Musk has pledged to focus more on Tesla. It remains unclear if this renewed attention will help improve the Cybertruck’s situation. For now, Tesla faces an uncertain path as it tries to regain momentum in the competitive electric truck market.