Cybertruck Finds New Homes Within Musk's Empire Amidst Slow Sales
In a seemingly ingenious move to invigorate the sluggish sales of Tesla's Cybertruck, the electric vehicle giant is reportedly redirecting unsold units to its sister companies, SpaceX and xAI. Sources suggest that hundreds of these distinctive electric pickups are now populating the premises of SpaceX and xAI, acquired from Tesla's surplus inventory. The Cybertruck's market reception has, thus far, fallen short of Tesla's ambitious production targets. With a manufacturing capacity exceeding 250,000 units annually, Tesla is only moving approximately 20,000 Cybertrucks per year. This translates to a dismal factory utilization rate of around 10%, a scenario described as "terrible" for an automaker, as significant capital invested in production lines risks becoming unrecoverable.
Musk's Internal Solution for Cybertruck Inventory
Faced with a growing stockpile, the solution appears to be an internal one: leveraging Elon Musk's other ventures. Reports indicate that SpaceX recently received hundreds of Cybertrucks at its Starbase facility, with expectations of many more – potentially thousands – to follow. These futuristic pickups have also been spotted near xAI's offices, signaling a significant internal redistribution. Wes Morrill, a lead engineer on the Cybertruck project, has framed this move as a strategic fleet upgrade, replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles within both SpaceX and Tesla's operational fleets. He expressed enthusiasm for the transition, stating, "It’s great to see the ICE fleets at Tesla and SpaceX get updated with Cybertrucks. This is what we dreamed of when we created it. Never thought the photos of the Starbase fleet would be this epic. Can’t wait for what’s next." This internal adoption offers a practical outlet for excess inventory while showcasing the Cybertruck's utility within Musk's diverse technological ecosystem.
Cybertruck's Market Performance and Competitive Landscape
The sales figures for the Cybertruck paint a challenging picture. In the third quarter, Tesla sold a mere 5,385 units, a staggering 63% decrease year-over-year. Throughout 2025, total sales have reached only around 16,000 units. These numbers are derived from Kelley Blue Book's analysis, as Tesla consolidates Cybertruck sales with older Model S and Model X vehicles under the "other models" category. Contrastingly, Tesla's overall sales demonstrated robust growth, with a record 497,099 vehicles delivered in the third quarter, a 7.4% increase from the previous year. This surge was partly attributed to the expiring $7,500 tax credit for consumers, which spurred purchases leading up to September 30th. A notable dip in fourth-quarter sales is anticipated, potentially exacerbating the Cybertruck's sales challenges.
Rivals Outperform Cybertruck in Electric Pickup Segment
In the competitive electric pickup truck market, rivals have exhibited more encouraging sales trajectories. Rivian's R1T saw a 13% year-over-year increase in third-quarter sales, while the Ford F-150 Lightning experienced a significant 39.7% jump. GMC's Hummer EV and Sierra EV also posted healthy gains, with the Hummer EV up 21.9% and the Sierra EV soaring by an impressive 771%.
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