High expectations for the Cybertruck
When the Tesla Cybertruck was first introduced to the public in November 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had high hopes and expectations for the angular-shaped truck. Since then, he had predicted to investors and the public that it would sell in great numbers in the lucrative pickup truck market.
Despite expectations, Tesla hasn’t achieved its sales goals for the Cybertruck. According to registration data from S&P Global Mobility, the company sold fewer than 40,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. in 2024, well below Elon Musk’s target of 250,000 units per year. In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla sold only about 7,100 Cybertrucks in the U.S., which indicated that competitors like Ford’s F-150 Lightning outsold it at the dealer.
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A smaller Cybertruck?
However, despite the figures, one Tesla figurehead is stating that the Cybertruck could possibly have a future as part of a potential line of Cybertruck-esque vehicles. According to a new report by Business Insider, Tesla’s engineering VP, Lars Moravy, revealed during an event hosted by Tesla owners and investors in California that discussions at Tesla have revolved around a smaller pickup truck.
“We always talked about making a smaller pickup,” said Moravy, in response to a question asked by an owner about whether Tesla would make a smaller version of the Cybertruck for overseas markets during a Q&A session. “I think in the future, as more and more of the robotaxi comes into the world, we look at those options and we think about, OK, that kind of service is useful not just for people, but also for goods,” he said. “We’ve definitely been churning in the design studio about what we might do to serve that need for sure.”
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Cybertruck issues have persisted
Following years of delays and additional development, the bare-metal polygon-shaped vehicle made its first deliveries on November 30, 2023, where CEO Elon Musk promised buyers a whole package of sports-car-beating performance and tough-as-nails sturdiness. However, buyers faced sticker shock, as the finished product is much more expensive than the $39,900 starting price that Elon Musk suggested in 2019. Today, the most affordable Cybertruck costs $69,990 before any options or EV tax credits. As a result, sales haven’t reached the levels that Musk anticipated; even as Tesla offers discounts and goodies like a free year of Supercharging.
In addition, quality issues have persisted, including those that required recalls. In March 2025, the NHTSA and Tesla recalled virtually all Cybertrucks in response to a defect affecting the cant rail assembly, a stainless steel strip bound to the truck with a structural adhesive. The Federal agency warned that it can detach while driving, create a dangerous road hazard for other drivers, and increase the risk of a crash.
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Notably, an issue that has been getting traction among Cybertruck owners lately is a persistent squeaking noise that is said to originate in the front left pillar near the windshield. User HR CG in the Cybertruck Owners Only Facebook group first reported the issue in June 2025, and it has been found to be difficult to remedy.
“After spending a total of 50 days in service—including 40 consecutive days—Tesla still hasn’t been able to fix a persistent squeaking noise. They’ve replaced parts, added insulation, and tried multiple approaches, but the issue remains,” HR CG said.
In his latest post, the user claimed that a Tesla Service Member noted that the squeaking issue persisted even after reassembling the Cybertruck, which has drained their enthusiasm for the EV and led them to seek other solutions. “At this point, I honestly hope Tesla will either give me a 2025 replacement or buy it back at the original price,” HR CG said recently.
Final thoughts
The $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit is set to expire on September 30, which poses a significant risk for Tesla, especially as the company is already experiencing declining sales. Additionally, the recent Republican tax and spending bill has eliminated the fines for violating the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, removing the financial incentive for traditional automakers to buy regulatory credits to circumvent these penalties. Even though Musk said during the Q2 2025 earnings call that Tesla’s cheaper EV is “just a Model Y,” whatever comes out will be incredibly important for the company’s future.