Tesla has just opened the door to a new level of trade-ins: the Cybertruck can now be traded in for other vehicles. Surprising? Maybe, but for anyone who’s been paying attention to Tesla, it’s a move that’s been long overdue. While the Cybertruck was originally priced at $99,990, the trade-in values today are sitting around $63,000, which is a steep drop in just under two years.

Naturally, this hasn’t gone over well with some Tesla owners, who seem to have forgotten the brand’s history. “There’s no point in trading in/upgrading with that low of an offer,” said one person on Cybertruckownersclub. “That’s about $25k depreciation – assuming $10k for FSD,” said another. One more person calculated a 17.2 percent hit in value over what has essentially been barely more than a year.

Read: This Used Cybertruck Just Sold For $6K More Than A New One

Of course, they jumped through a lot of hoops, counting all sorts of things to add value. A more straightforward comparison, from the original price to the trade-in value, suggests depreciation of over 30 percent in that same time period. Taking that kind of hit on a ‘Foundation Series’ is pretty wild. Yet, some owners don’t seem bothered at all.

Several expressed the desire to keep their truck for good and at least one even mentioned willing it to their kids. Clearly, this situation is going to affect different buyers in vastly different ways. For Tesla though, this might be just a bit more gaming of the system.

Now let’s layer on a little extra context. Just last week, it came to light that Tesla had been up to its usual tricks with trade-ins. When it took back cars from customers on lease deals, it promised to turn them into robotaxis. Instead, it just installed some new software features and resold them at a tidy profit. This is the kind of behavior Tesla could repeat with the Cybertruck. After all, if a car didn’t come with all the software options, Tesla could easily push an update, send it back to market, and charge a premium.

There’s really no good reason to believe that Tesla won’t try to do something similar here with the Cybertruck. Owners who didn’t get every available software option could see their trade-in back on the market with a serious markup in price. After all, Tesla only needs to send a software update to enable some features.

All of that said, it’s an interesting situation that Tesla is now in. It’s fighting battles on just about every front while still offering what is objectively a compelling set of products. Will that alone be enough to stem the tide? Only time will tell. At least until then, the chance of getting a Cybertruck for $39,990, albeit on the second-hand market, is getting better.

Credit: Carsly / Rinoa0 / Outdoors / Cybertruckownersclub.com

Service experiences: like most things in life, they are not always the same. Some are exemplary, most range from quite good to satisfactory, others are bad – and then there are these ones. Imagine dropping your prized six-figure possession off at a service center for a few minor fixes, only to get it back with more issues than you started with, including, bizarrely, a completely wiped odometer. That’s what one unlucky Tesla Cybertruck owner had to endure, as detailed in a head-scratching thread.

More: Tesla’s Recall Service Left This Cybertruck With A Burn Mark And Panel Gap

In the words of the owner, “My CyberBeast went in for a spa day and came back a newborn, with a lazy eye and a missing limb.” That’s the almost unbelievable title to a new thread over at CybertruckOwners. In it, one member describes one of the strangest service experiences we’ve heard about in a while. Not only did Tesla’s service not address all of the issues this Cybertruck had, they gave it back to the customer after wiping the odometer. This wasn’t a rollback. This was more of a ‘never was.’

Notably, this is a Cyberbeast we’re talking about. The most expensive version at over $100,000, and one would like to hope, most carefully crafted cars Tesla makes. The owner dropped it off for a handful of minor things. He wanted a new light bar installed, he asked Tesla to nudge a few panel gaps so that they’d line up better, and the service team needed to address an on-again-off-again ABS alert.

Service Day Turns Into a Nightmare

According to his post, Tesla promised to have it all done by Thursday of that week. When that fell through, the service team moved his pickup day to Friday, and sure enough, by 5:30 p.m., it was ready… or so he thought. When he arrived, a few things weren’t quite right. The truck didn’t remember his phone, trim was hanging down under the glove box, and the odometer read zero.

As he puts it, “My 26 k-mile CyberBeast is now a CyberBaby. Shot a video while the “count” rolled from 0 → 1 as I left the lot. App and service menu agree — factory-fresh, just ignore the 5 months of road-trip Dorito dust.” To make this even clearer, it wasn’t a glitch. Based on whatever happened while the truck was in service, every source of information about his mileage agreed.

Video Cybertruckownersclub

Just to hammer the point home, the owner even included a video showing the odometer moving from 0 to 1 mile as he drove away. However, that wasn’t even the worst of it. The light bar installation? Well, let’s just say it looked like it had been done by someone who didn’t quite understand what the word symmetry means. There was a half-inch gap on one side and none on the other. And (because, why not?) there was a loose bolt in the tailgate and a trim panel that wasn’t even properly attached.

Also: Some Cybertrucks Getting Bricked After Tesla’s Latest Software Updates

At this point, he’s still trying to figure out what the proper solution is. Many on the forum believe Tesla missed a step, or several, near the end of service. Regardless, it’s not a good look for a company already working hard to improve its public image. 

Credit: CheddaTruck

Do you own a Tesla Cybertruck but despise the wing mirrors that it comes with? Well, Tesbros has a “solution” for you. They’ve started selling a mirror delete kit for the electric pickup, which will make your vehicle look a little less… conventional. But before you rush to buy one, it’s worth checking whether your state even allows driving without wing mirrors. After all, you might end up with a ticket instead of a cleaner-looking truck.

Many states across the United States require cars to have both left and right wing mirrors, while others require at least one wing mirror. For states where mirrors aren’t explicitly required in local legislation, such as Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, and Montana, this is an intriguing way to make your Cybertruck look a little nicer(?).

Read: Masked Man Allegedly Caught With Tesla Map After Torching Cybertruck

When the mirrors of the Cybertruck are removed, an ugly hole is left behind on the door. Tesbros solution is a small stainless steel plate and a piece of ABS plastic to cover up the mess. The plate’s underside mimics that of the mirror and screws into place, securing it and ensuring it’s sturdy. Tesbros says the kit has been designed to work in all different conditions, including in states like Arizona, where it gets very hot in the summer.

The small piece of stainless steel used has been cut from a scrap Tesla Cybertruck door that Tesbros was able to secure, meaning it matches up nicely. However, they only had enough stainless steel to produce 80 kits, and it seems the entire first batch has already sold out. A future version of the kit, likely made from aluminum, is in development, with a plastic version also under consideration.

The original stainless kit wasn’t exactly a bargain, priced at a staggering $299 for what’s essentially two pieces of stainless steel and two bits of ABS plastic. And just to add a little more drama to the mix, at least one user on the Cybertruck Owners Club reported that after installing the kit, the adhesive holding the ABS piece to the stainless steel gave way, causing it to fly off on the highway. However, they did note that the company sent replacements which appear to be fine.

Tesbros

A Cybertruck driver recently found himself in a terrifying situation after what he claims was an aggressive move by another motorist on a California highway ended with his truck upside down. The incident occurred in broad daylight near Ukiah, and the entire event was captured by the Tesla’s onboard cameras.

The footage, later shared on YouTube by the Wham Baam Teslacam channel, shows how the crash unfolded. A black Ram 1500 overtakes the Cybertruck, then abruptly cuts into the right lane just ahead of it. Moments later, the Ram driver taps the brakes, prompting the Cybertruck driver to move left in an attempt to pass. That’s when things take a turn – literally.

More: BMW M4 Took A Wrong Turn Into The Mountain

The Ram swerves into the Tesla’s path, pulling off what appears to be an unintentional PIT maneuver that forces the Cybertruck off the highway. As it veers off the road, the slad-sided electric truck slams sideways into a ditch, causing it to roll over. While the truck lay upside down, its sensors detected the crash and automatically alerted emergency services. Fortunately, the driver wasn’t seriously injured, though he was taken to the hospital by ambulance after reporting back pain.

Copart

According to the Tesla owner, he had no prior interaction with the Ram driver, something he says is backed up by the footage he shared with police. After reviewing the video, the California Highway Patrol has reportedly charged the Ram driver with vehicular assault, though official confirmation from authorities has not been released publicly.

More: Cybertruck Was Just Charging Until Chaos Showed Up With A V8 And No Grip

The aftermath wasn’t kind to the Tesla. The truck sustained heavy damage to its roof, wheels, suspension, and body panels. It later appeared on Copart, looking far worse for wear. Some parts may be salvageable, but the cost of repairing such a heavily damaged vehicle likely outweighs any benefit. The driver is presumably seeking reimbursement through his insurance provider.

As for motive, nothing has been officially confirmed. However, the incident brings to mind other recent reports of road rage or hostility directed at Tesla drivers. Unlike the usual vandalism or minor clashes, though, this sort of encounter could have ended far more dangerously. With any luck, the Ram driver, if found responsible, will think twice before acting on impulse behind the wheel.

Screenshot Wham Baam Teslacam/Copart

Charging an electric vehicle can sometimes be a really peaceful experience. Some models even offer the ability to watch TV or play games during the process. One Cybertruck owner had that peace ruined recently when a Dodge Charger driver lost control and rammed his pickup. It just so happens that another Tesla owner caught the entire situation on camera too.

The situation unfolded at the Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, New York. There, a Model Y owner says that the folks in the Dodge nearly hit him. “I was out for a walk when I nearly got hit by these [explicit]. A moment later, I heard their engine rev and I KNEW they were going to do something stupid. So I started recording,” he wrote on Reddit.

More: No One Knows Where This Tire Came From, But It Ripped Through A Mercedes Roof Anyway

He couldn’t have been more correct about his assertion. Despite having an expansive parking lot at their disposal, the driver of this Charger R/T begins a donut relatively close to nearby Teslas charging at a Supercharger station. He gets quite a slide going, complete with some opposite lock, too. When he straightens out, things go sideways in a more metaphorical sense, though.

First, he drives over a calming island near the parking lot entrance. For whatever reason, it’s only after clearing the island that he engages his brakes. Video shows that despite his brakes being on, the car has enough momentum to carry it into the next calming island on the other side of the entrance. When he hits that, the front end flies up and off the ground. Ultimately, the car comes back to earth and keeps rolling until it hits the driver’s side of the Cybertruck.

Video Reddit

It’s clear from the video that the Dodge is not okay after the crash. Smoke is billowing from the front rather than from the rear tires. Part of the undercarriage protection is on the ground, and there is debris all over the lot, though it could be organic rather than bits of Mopar left behind. That said, the Cybertruck looks great for having just been hit by a car, even at a slow speed.

According to the Reddit post, the crash left motor oil and transmission fluid leaking out onto the ground. Meanwhile, the Cybertruck owner got out to check the damage and apparently found… none. “The truck looked completely fine!” the poster added. Safe to say, the Dodge driver got a little more Cybertruck than they bargained for.

Credit: Hammer Of Something/Reddit

When it comes to automakers making grandiose promises that go unfulfilled and selling features that don’t actually work, no brand does it better (or worse) than Tesla. For Cybertruck owners, one feature that should be standard at this price point is active lane centering. But it’s not available, and it won’t be for at least another year, if it ever arrives at all.

Read: Cheapest Cybertruck Ever Offers 350 Miles But Not The $40K Price We Were Promised

At the launch of the Cybertruck, Tesla offered Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) as standard on the Foundation Series models. Great, right? Well, not quite. For about a year, the feature was basically useless. Once Tesla started selling the non-Foundation Series models, customers had to choose between dropping $8,000 for FSD or sticking with the more basic Autopilot system. But here’s the rub: Autopilot in the Cybertruck doesn’t come with Autosteer, Tesla’s term for active lane centering.

The “Free” FSD Trial – A Clever Way to Upsell

Now, the EV maker has announced that it is offering a 1-year free trial of Supervised Full-Self Driving, and while that may sound good, it’s a little more complicated. In confirming this offer, Tesla revealed that Autosteer will not be available for the Cybertruck outside of the FSD system. That means that if you’re one of those Cybertruck owners who purchased it without FSD, you won’t get any form of Autosteer.

As noted by Electrek, Tesla likely hopes that through the 1-year free trial, it can convince existing Cybertruck owners to pay for FSD, after giving them the chance to experience the added features it offers over the standard Autopilot.

Unfortunately, for those who have no interest in paying for FSD, this essentially leaves them with an electric truck that has adaptive cruise control but no self-steering. That’s something you can get in far cheaper vehicles, making it a tough pill to swallow for Cybertruck owners who thought they were getting something special.

For those who are still holding out hope, Tesla is giving Cybertruck owners until June 6 to sign up for the free 1-year FSD trial. But, to keep things as Tesla-like as possible, you’ll need to subscribe to the program, and then cancel at any time. Why not add another layer of complexity to an already confusing situation?

Since Elon Musk aligned himself with President Donald Trump and began cutting funding and jobs through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), attacks and protests targeting Tesla have surged. Earlier this week, another Tesla vehicle was hit, and by Wednesday, the accused suspect had already been indicted by a federal grand jury.

On Monday, Ian William Moses was accused of starting a fire at a Tesla dealership n Mesa, Arizona. According to federal prosecutors, Moses placed fire-starter logs near the building, soaked them in gasoline, and sparked a blaze that damaged the showroom and destroyed a Cybertruck parked outside.

Read: Cybertruck Owner’s Nazi Salutes Destroy His Business Overnight After Brutal Yelp Firestorm

Security footage reportedly caught someone in a black mask, hooded sweatshirt, and baseball cap near the scene. About 90 minutes later, local police arrested Moses, who was allegedly wearing the same outfit. Authorities say he also had a hand-drawn map of the dealership in his pocket, which sounds like something out of a low-budget spy movie, minus the intrigue.

He’s now been charged with five counts of maliciously damaging property and vehicles in interstate commerce by means of fire. Each count carries a fine of up to $250,000 and a prison term between five and 20 years.

“There is nothing American about burning down someone else’s business because you disagree with them politically,” US Attorney Timothy Couchaine said in the case. “These ongoing attacks against Tesla are not protests, they are acts of violence that have no place in Arizona or anywhere else. If someone targets Tesla with violence, they will be found and confronted with the full force of the law.”

This indictment comes less than a month after U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a public warning to would-be attackers of Tesla facilities or vehicles: “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”

Photos DOJ

These days, just about everyone walking around has a recording device sitting in their pocket. That means just about anything we do in public has the potential to be filmed and posted online for the world to see. One business owner just found that out the hard way. After performing a couple of Nazi salutes out the window of his Tesla Cybertruck, a video of the incident surfaced online. Unsurprisingly, his company’s Yelp reviews took a nosedive in the aftermath.

According to the post on Reddit, this happened in Mission Bay, San Francisco. “While I was walking home… the owner of Cyber Electric LLC, repeatedly performed the Nazi salute after yelling homophobic slurs at my friends and me. This is deeply abhorrent behavior and a reflection of the company’s values and beliefs. I feel badly for anyone this woefully ignorant and hateful,” the poster said.

Read: Man Who Vandalized Six Teslas Avoids Jail Time And Still Keeps His State Job

Sure enough, that appears to be what we see in the video embedded below. While some elements of that description are hard to confirm, it’s clear that someone is making the gesture and that the company graphic is on the side of the electric truck. It’s worth noting that we have no idea what led up to this interaction. While nothing warrants the reaction, it’s tough to believe that we’re missing some context here.

Video Reddit

That said, those who saw the video online went to Yelp to express their displeasure with reviews of Cyber Electric. “There is no room in Modesto for Nazi businesses. Don’t support fascism or homophobics,” one reviewer said. “Is this who you want in your home, around your family performing repairs?” another from the Bay Area wrote according to SF Gate. “Disgusting.” Interestingly, Yelp has since scrubbed the page of the negative reviews with the following explanation.

Yelp’s Response

“This business recently received increased public attention, which often means people come to this page to post their views on the news rather than actual consumer experiences with the business,” said the company. “We’ve temporarily disabled the posting of content to this page as we work to investigate the content you see here reflects actual consumer experiences rather than the recent events (even if that means disabling the ability for users to express points of view we might agree with).”

To his credit, Cyber Electric owner Marco Diaz has already issued a response. He posted a video on his YouTube account admitting that he used the Nazi salute. While he denied using homophobic slurs, he did acknowledge that he hurt others with his actions. “To make this right, I am educating myself, supporting anti-hate groups, and ensuring my company promotes inclusion. I’m committed to learning and rebuilding trust. I welcome your feedback and hope my actions show my sincerity,” he said.

This looks like a case of trying to be provocative and crossing a line that was not remotely worth testing. It is another reminder that in today’s world, almost everything ends up on video, and once a reputation takes a hit like this, there is no easy way to walk it back.

Screenshot ConsiderationHot1038/Reddit

Owning a new Tesla might not carry the same futuristic mystique it once did, but for plenty of buyers, the dream is still alive and well, especially when it involves the polarizing, attention-grabbing Cybertruck.

Read: Cybertruck Beats Fisker Ocean As Edmunds’ Biggest Loss Ever, Sold For Just $8K

While the electric pickup has not sold as well as Tesla had hoped, there are still plenty of Americans who still want to get their hands on one. For many, buying directly from Tesla’s website is the easiest option, but the used market is starting to offer some interesting alternatives. Plenty of low-mileage Cybertrucks are already available, and while most sellers are taking a big hit compared to MSRP, there are a few exceptions — even if they mostly just prove the rule.

Last week, a particularly well-specced and modified example traded hands for $78,000 on Cars & Bids. At first glance, that is a very solid result for the seller, especially considering it is possible to buy a brand-new Cybertruck Dual-Motor AWD directly from Tesla for a little over $72,000 after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

So, why did this Cybertruck sell for more than a new one? Well, it has several tasteful (and costly, at least for the seller) modifications that seem to have appealed to the many interested bidders. For starters, the controversial stainless steel panels now sport a satin black paint protection film, transforming the look of the Tesla. That alone likely set the seller back around $3,000 to $5,000.

Photos Cars&Bids

Elsewhere, there’s an LED light bar on the roof, aftermarket running boards, official Tesla roof bars and mud flaps, and some interesting cladding on the tailgate. It even includes the optional $2,975 Tesla CyberTent, making it ideal for some camping adventures (as long as you’re not too far away from a charger…).

Plenty of changes have been made to the cabin, too. For example, the central infotainment screen now sits on a swivel mount, meaning it can be angled towards the driver. The underside of the glass roof has also been tweaked and now sports colorful LED lights. According to the listing, the windows have been tinted too, a job that likely cost several hundred dollars.

Generally speaking, as we have seen countless times in the used car market, modifying a car does not add to its value. But clearly, the winning bidder was happy to spend more on this example than the going rate for a new one.If they were already planning to add these upgrades, which look like they cost nearly $10,000 on top of the MSRP, then maybe it makes a little more sense , but calling it a solid deal would be a stretch.

Photos Cars&Bids

When it comes to testing high-profile vehicles, sometimes things go terribly wrong, and in the case of Edmunds’ Tesla Cybertruck, ‘terribly’ is putting it mildly. In July 2024, the outlet shelled out $101,985 for a brand-new Cybertruck Foundation Series to add to its One-Year Road Test fleet. By December 11, the truck was struck by a compact sedan while parked, pushing the 6,600-pound electric vehicle onto the curb. The damage was severe enough that it was written off entirely.

More: Tesla’s Cybertruck Rebranding Looks A Lot Like Ford’s F-150

On the outside, the wheel, tire, stainless steel panel and bumper bore the brunt of the impact. Things were much more serious under the skin though as, apart from the suspension, the rear drive motor, the rear-wheel steering setup, and lots of other parts were wrecked. No doubt, it was in a very sorry state, but things weren’t exactly peachy before the crash either.

Early Troubles: A Red Flag Parade

In fact, problems began soon after Edmunds took delivery of its Cybertuck and they included a number of critical steering failures, the EV going on limp mode or dying altogether, lots of errors showing up on the screen, the a/c not working on hot days, the transmission not selecting Park… you get the picture.

Definitely not confidence-inspiring for a $100k truck, no matter how hyped up it might be. In fact, the issues were so many they didn’t allow the team to perform its usual instrument testing procedure or even take it off-road.

The Great Repair Odyssey

Nevertheless, what spelled its demise was the aforementioned accident and attempts to get it fixed. Body shops dared not touch the Cybertruck, so their only recourse was Tesla‘s own service network. Problem number one: while one would expect Los Angeles, the city with the most Cybertrucks in the world, to have quite a few, there were just two within a 50-mile radius that were certified by Tesla to fix the EV’s steel body panels.

The first one, in Huntington Beach, gave them a one-month waiting period just to get an estimate on how much repairing it would cost. That was not all, though; they had to wait another six months for it to get fixed, which meant towing it to the shop to get an estimate, then towing it back and storing it somewhere, and finally towing it back again to get it back in working order. Naturally, Edmunds declined the offer.

More: Fisker Ocean Totaled After Tiny Door Ding Souring EV Dream

Things were much better at the second certified service center in Ontario. They still had to wait a month for an estimate, but after that the shop would instantly start working on the truck. So far, so good – until Tesla called a few days before the appointment and informed them it was pushed back a month due to the shop being overbooked.

Cybertruck Repair Costs

• Stripes and moldings: $619
• Motors and components: $4,191 (including $3,000 for an EV drive unit)
• Motor mounts: $77
• Wheels and parts: $1,758
• Steering: $2,040
• Rear suspension: $9,149 (including $2,500 for a new suspension crossmember)
• Cab and components: $3,800 (including $3,240 for a high-strength steel frame)
• Bed: $8,762.79 (including $1,595 for the outer panel, $4,280 for the aluminum rear section and $1,055 for the bed floor)
• Tailgate: $2,495
• Rear bumper: $2,417.73
• Rear body, lamps and floor plan: $1,668.50 (including $800 for the inner taillamp assembly)
• Miscellaneous parts: $357.22
• Other parts: $5
• Paint and materials: $610
• Tax on parts and materials: $3,320.65
• Labor: $16,584
• Sublet repairs: $25
• Grand total: $57,879.89

This time they decided to wait and, two months after the accident, had an estimate: it would cost them $1,128 to disassemble the truck and find out what had to be replaced or repaired. The quote, though, was a very unpleasant surprise; all in, they had to pay exactly $57,879.89.

The list of things that had to be fixed was too long, and the single most expensive item on it was the rear suspension at $9,149. Given that an example without prior damage was valued at $86,160, so theirs would sell for much less, it made no financial sense to proceed with repairs and it was considered a total loss.

The Final Blow

In the end, the outlet sold their Cybertruck to Copart for… $8,000! The only positive thing was that it received praise for its performance and ride comfort, as well as the design that, while controversial, at least (or rather because of it) drew a lot of attention. Other than that, not only did it not get to take part in the One-Year Road Test, but it became Edmunds’ biggest loss ever, a title that until then was held by the Fisker Ocean.

Lead image Edmunds

Sales and marketing strategies tend to follow similar paths, especially when it comes to products that compete in the same space. Let’s face it, in today’s world, creating a brave ad that grabs attention without annoying someone is practically a lost cause. So, most companies stick to what works by playing it safe with formulas that won’t ruffle too many feathers.

But every so often, one company will mimic another so closely that it’s hard not to notice. That’s exactly what appears to be going on with Tesla , which seems to be quietly rebranding the image of its Cybertruck in a way that’s undeniably familiar.

When the Cybertruck first debuted, it was all about looking like it came from the future. Tesla marketed it as though it were built for Mars. Even the press photos of it showed it off on barren landscapes as if it had survived some apocalypse.

More: Cheapest Cybertruck Ever Offers 350 Miles But Not The $40K Price We Were Promised

Now, though, those futuristic images are no longer the star of the Cybertruck’s sales page. Instead, you’ll find the slab-sided truck in more mundane, everyday scenarios…the same kind of scenes, and even some of the same props, that Ford uses to market the F-150.

Take, for example, the hero image Tesla currently uses for the Cybertruck. It’s towing an Airstream trailer. That looks almost identical, save for the actual scenery in the background, to an image Ford uses with an F-150 towing a camper.

Then, there’s a photo looking down into the bed of the Cybertruck where it holds some fence fabric and other building materials. Don’t be too shocked, but Ford has an F-150 ad with the same type of fence fabric and building materials.

None of this situation, first reported by Business Insider, should be all that shocking or damning. After all, no one bats an eye when sports car companies showcase their models on race tracks, or when crossover ads feature a family cruising through the city.

The nature of automotive advertising requires some similarity across the space. Still, the images are almost too on the nose in this case not to notice. It highlights a change in the way that Tesla approaches Cybertruck sales, too.

The Real Shift

Ultimately, the reality is that to sell anywhere near the number of trucks that Ford does, the Cybertruck will need to appeal to traditional truck buyers. Right now, it’s done a solid job of appealing to Tesla lovers and to those who want something more novel than an everyday pickup. That’s why it was the best-selling EV truck in 2024.

That time could be coming to an end, though. We’ve already covered how Tesla is heavily discounting the truck to increase sales. It’s also reportedly slowing production and moving workers to the Model Y line. Only time will tell if Tesla can capture a bigger piece of the truck market than it currently has. 

FORD VS TESLA MATERIAL

A teenager from Kansas City is facing federal charges after allegedly setting a Tesla Cybertruck on fire at a local Tesla facility. Owen McIntire, a 19-year-old student from the University of Massachusetts Boston, appeared in court last week. His arrest comes after a stern warning from U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who made it clear that individuals firebombing Tesla properties will spend time behind bars.

The incident took place on March 17, around 11:16 p.m. A Kansas City Police Department officer noticed smoke coming from a Cybertruck parked at the Tesla Center. The officer also found a Molotov cocktail burning near the vehicle. By the time the Kansas City Fire Department arrived, the fire had spread to a second Cybertruck, and two charging stations had also been damaged.

Read: Tesla Under Siege As Multiple EVs Set On Fire And Vandalized Across The US In One Day

Before the Kansas City Fire Department could respond to the scene, the fire spread to a second Cybertruck. Two charging stations were also damaged by the blaze.

“ATF’s Special Agents and forensic experts recovered and analyzed key evidence—including Molotov cocktails—used in this deliberate and dangerous arson attack,” said Dan Driscoll, Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). “This wasn’t vandalism — it was a violent criminal act.”

McIntire is now facing charges for unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device and malicious damage by fire of property used in interstate commerce. He appeared for his initial hearing at the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. McIntire, a student at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is now awaiting further legal proceedings.

In response to the arrest, Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: you will not evade us. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”

This marks the second arrest in just a week involving suspects allegedly tied to attacks on Tesla facilities or vehicles. FBI Director Kash Patel noted, “These actions are dangerous, they are illegal, and we are going to arrest those responsible. We will work with our partners at the Department of Justice to hold accountable anyone who commits such crimes. I commend our FBI teams in Kansas City and Boston for their work.”

Screenshot via KMBC 9

The Tesla Cybertruck was designed to turn heads, and it certainly does, but these days, it’s attracting the wrong kind of attention, and that’s showing up in the sales numbers. Blame it on the much higher-than-promised price, the shorter-than-promised range, or the string of vandalism incidents targeting owners. Whatever the cause, Tesla is reportedly adjusting production now that it has too many Cybertrucks and not enough buyers.

While Elon Musk might have once boasted about having over a million Cybertruck reservations, the brand has only sold around 50,000 as of March. That means that not only does it have a lot of them sitting around, but it also needs to reduce its production to control the Cybertruck inventory.

More: What Happened To Musk’s 1 Million Cybertruck Reservations?

According to Business Insider, Tesla has quietly reduced the Cybertruck production team by more than half. The report, which cites two employees familiar with the situation, says Tesla has been lowering its production targets since December 2024. Some staff have been reassigned to the Model Y line, where demand remains stronger. “It feels a lot like they’re filtering people out,” one worker said. “The parking lot keeps getting emptier.”

All of this seems to corroborate what we’re seeing Tesla do with its bevy of Cybertrucks. Just days ago, Carscoops reported that Tesla was using the pickup to advertise the new Model Y. It’s towing a Model Y behind a Cybertruck and using it as a rolling billboard. Perhaps the automaker is now recognizing the need to shift its focus onto more affordable models.

That could be one reason it recently introduced a new base-model version of the Cybertruck with rear-wheel drive only. Priced at a whopping $70,000, though, it’s far from the originally promised $39,990 price tag of the Cybertruck. Will this shift work out for Tesla? Only time will tell. 

If you want to make it painfully obvious that public opinion doesn’t faze you, there’s one simple way to do it: drive a Cybertruck. Now, for those in the market, Tesla is making it a little bit easier to take that leap with a range of discounted vehicles. And it’s not just about slicing prices. Some of these deals include lifetime access to Supercharging and Full Self-Driving, adding value to the package.

It’s no secret that Tesla has struggled to sell the Cybertruck at the rate it hoped it would. Elon Musk claimed it had over 1 million reservations. As of earlier this year, it appears it’s converted under 50,000 of those reservations to sales, though.

Read: Tesla’s 15% Sales Crash In California Could Signal A Bigger EV Crisis

For one thing, it’s far more expensive than initially promised. Sure, inflation has something to do with that, but even according to that metric, it should cost tens of thousands less. Maybe that’s one more reason why Tesla just put steep discounts on it. Right now, American customers can get the 2024 Cyberbeast Foundation Series for $11,990 off MSRP. Along with that, Tesla is throwing in free lifetime access to its Supercharger network.

Here’s perhaps the most interesting part, though. It’s not just the top-of-the-range, year-old Cybertruck that is on sale. The standard 2024 AWD Cybertruck is also available with a similar discount. That makes it $89,990, and it still benefits from lifetime Supercharging and, in some cases, these trucks already come with Full Self-Driving (Supervised).

Granted, you’re getting a 2024 model while we’re already well into 2025, but Tesla isn’t a conventional automaker. There are no dramatic, huge updates from one year to the next. According to DriveTeslaCanada, Canadian buyers can also take advantage of similar deals. Tesla is currently offering CA $16,590 off the Cyberbeast and CA $13,790 off the AWD Cybertruck in Canada.

Inventory Snapshot: What’s Available Now?

At the time of writing, Tesla lists just under 4,500 Cybertrucks in inventory across the United States, including both new and demo units. That number is subject to change, of course. In Canada, availability is much lower, with only 72 trucks currently listed.

Put all of the side conversations away, and this doesn’t seem like too bad of a deal. They’re especially attractive for those who don’t qualify for tax credits or who are already considering buying a Cyberbeast. Why not get one with a steep discount and free Supercharging for life?

The only catch is that you’ll be piloting one of the most divisive vehicles on the planet, and Tesla doesn’t have much it can do if your truck becomes the target of someone else’s anger. 

It’s no secret that Tesla and its Cybertruck flagship are divisive topics today. Whether it’s the design, the rollout, or the broader image of the brand, reactions are rarely lukewarm. That divisiveness has made the truck a frequent target of protests, and occasionally, more extreme actions. Now, one infamous Cybertruck that went up in flames and was later covered in graffiti is now headed to auction.

The estimated sale price? Around $82,000. And by our extremely scientific calculations, it’ll only cost about $81,999 to fix. A steal, really, assuming you’ve always wanted a post-apocalyptic sculpture that used to be a truck.

More: Bondi Says ‘Tesla Terrorist’ Looking At 40 Years In Jail For Hurling Firebombs

This EV experienced its life-ending event in January in an LA parking lot. Carscoops reported on the situation quickly after it happened. The truck sat idle largely in the same state that you see here. The hood is cut up, the driver’s side has fire damage, broken glass, and holes in the firewall. The tires are burned up, and there is graffiti across the entire car.

It’s unclear how the damage began, but it could’ve been that a fire in the cabin started the cascade. From there, it would make sense that firefighters cut the hood. The high-voltage cutoff is under it and near the windshield. From that point forward, anyone around the scene could’ve added the additional vandalism after the fact.

Notably, the salvage auction does say that an “interior burn” was the primary damage and that vandalism is the secondary damage. To that end, the cabin doesn’t look like it’s in much better shape than the exterior. The steering wheel is gone, the dash is missing some panels, and the infotainment system is reportedly inoperable. Hey, at least the back seats look salvageable.

More: This Is What Tesla’s Doing With All Those Unsold Cybertrucks

As we pointed out in our initial coverage, the truck almost looks like an obscure art piece. No doubt, it could serve as an exhibit that demonstrates the odd time we’re all living in and the way people reacted to this truck and Tesla as a whole. Depending on your point of view, it might even belong in a gallery as a reflection of public sentiment toward Tesla and its polarizing design direction.

So, what do you think? Would you throw in a bid on this fire-damaged, heavily graffitied Cybertruck? If nothing else, it’s a conversation starter. Let us know what you’d pay for it in the comments.

Credit: IAAI

You will never hear Tesla call the Cybertruck a flop, but by the company’s own projections, that’s exactly what it looks like. At one point, there were claims of nearly 2 million reservations for the electric pickup. As of March, however, Tesla had only built and sold about 46,000. The original plan was to produce 250,000 annually, and Elon Musk once suggested the company could move as many as 500,000 each year. However, it seems Tesla has found a good way to use those Cybertrucks it can’t sell.

Read: What Happened To Musk’s 1 Million Cybertruck Reservations?

Earlier this week, a motorcade of Cybertrucks was spotted cruising through Temple, Texas, and one of those Cybertrucks stood out. It was towing a trailer with a red Tesla Model Y in a glass capsule, proudly advertising the electric SUV as being ‘Made in Texas.’ Desperate times call for desperate measures, and it seems Tesla wants to ensure that as many people as possible can see the new Model Y in person.

A Mobile Billboard, Tesla-Style

A Cybertruck towing the new Model Y around is actually a pretty smart marketing tool. Plenty of car manufacturers pay big bucks to buy advertising space on massive billboards near highways, but Tesla has always shied away from typical marketing campaigns.

In this case, it’s essentially towing around a giant billboard, except it’s not a picture of a car, but the car itself. The Model Y in question is painted in Ultra Red, too, which just so happens to be the best color that Tesla offers.

Now, will the sight of a red Model Y Juniper convince Texans to buy a new Tesla? Who knows, but it’s a good way to drum up some attention for their latest EV. After all, there are already social media posts about it, and we’re writing about it, too. That’s more than can be said for most static billboards from legacy automakers, and it fits with Tesla’s long-running preference for unconventional marketing tactics.

Tesla Model Y on Display in Glass Cage | Spotted in Temple, TX
byu/OshinOfficial inTeslaLounge

Almost 18 months after the Cybertruck finally went on sale in December of 2023, Tesla has finally gotten around to launching a more affordable entry-level model. But the downgraded spec of the Cybertruck Long Range makes you wonder whether you might want to give it a miss.

Not Quite a Bargain, But Better Than Nothing

A simple, single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck was always part of the plan. And while the 2025 Long Range’s price of $69,990 plus $2,245 destination and order fees (but before the $7,500 tax credit) is far from the $39,990 that Elon Musk promised this specific trim would cost back in 2019, it still represents a $10,000 savings compared to the existing bi-motor AWD model. It also comes in at $30,000 less than the absurdly expensive Cyberbeast.

More: Tesla Quietly Pulls Cybertruck’s $16K Range Extender After Taking $2,000 Deposits

And there are other upsides apart from that price. Losing the front motor and driveshafts helps cut the curb weight (Tesla doesn’t specify by how much), enabling the Long Range to secure a 350-mile (563 km) EPA driving range. That’s for an LR with no tonneau cover – order the optional $750 soft tonneau and the electric range climbs to 362 miles (583 km), well above the 325 miles (523 km) claimed for the AWD.

The Catch: A Lot of Equipment Compromises

But from there on things don’t look so good for the Long Range’s chances of snaring buyers. To get that price down Tesla has de-contented the Cybertruck so hard that you’ll be reminded every time you jump in it that you were too tight-fisted to go for the AWD.

Out go the vegan leather seats in favor of simple cloth versions that are still heated, but no longer ventilated, and you’re downgraded to puny 18-inch wheels unless you splash for the optional 20s fitted as standard on the AWD. But the $3,500 cost of doing that really eats into the price differential. Other kit to go includes the height-adjustable air suspension, which is replaced by simple steel springs, and the hi-fi’s speaker count is halved to seven.

Slower and Less Capable

And even if you’re the kind of driver that never gets into the right pedal hard enough to notice or care that the zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time has grown from 4.1 to 6.2 seconds, you probably are going to care that the tow rating has been decimated. AWD Cybertrucks can haul 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg) but the Long Range is only good for 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg), and there’s a 265 lb (120 kg) payload reduction to factor in, too.

Throw in the loss of the bed’s electrical outlets and the fact that you have to pay extra for a soft tonneau when the AWD gets a retractable one as standard, and the Long Range’s appeal really does start to wane. Tesla would argue that what matters here is that the LR is competitive with mid-ranking Ford F-150 Lightnings, which accelerate slightly faster but don’t go as far on a charge. What do you think? Was the entry-level Cybertruck worth the wait?

Cybertruck Long Range now available

– $62,490 (incl. Federal Tax Credit)
– 362 mi of range (est.) w/ Soft Tonneau
– 6' x 4' bed
– 7,500 lbs towing capacity pic.twitter.com/ZP5S5uxHiY

— Tesla (@Tesla) April 11, 2025

Update: It’s now official, as Tesla has started emailing Cybertruck owners who pre-ordered the $16,000 range extender battery pack, confirming that it’s “no longer planning to sell” the add-on. The company says it will refund the $2,000 deposits, but hasn’t provided any further explanation. The news marks yet another setback for Cybertruck buyers, who were also promised Autosteer but won’t be getting it. Instead, Tesla is tossing in one year of Full Self-Driving access as a consolation prize.

So much for Cybertruck Range Extender RIP pic.twitter.com/sw1mTcIvZf

— Drake (@TheRealDriiZZy) May 7, 2025

Tesla’s Cybertruck rollout has been full of surprises, most of them frustrating. Among the more puzzling was the $16,000 Range Extender, which was supposed to significantly boost the truck’s underwhelming driving range. To reserve it, customers had to put down a $2,000 non-refundable deposit. That’s a lot of money for a product that may no longer exist as the option appears to have now vanished from Tesla’s online configurator.

While there’s been no official statement about the option being scrapped for good, Tesla has a long history of quietly dropping features and adjusting pricing with little to no warning. For anyone who put money down expecting that extra range, this isn’t great news.

Read: Tesla Delays Cybertruck Range Extender Battery To “Mid-2025”

The Range Extender always seemed a little odd. For $16,000, Cybertruck owners could get an auxiliary battery pack that would take up nearly half the truck bed. It was intended for those who found the stock range too limiting, never mind the compromise in utility.

Tesla never publicized the battery capacity of this pack, only promising it would boost the dual motor’s range from 340 miles (547 km) to 445+ miles. It was also going to increase the tri-motor Cybertruck’s range from 320 miles (515 km) to 440 miles (708 km). The company even opened reservations, asking buyers for a $2,000 non-refundable deposit.

Big And Heavy

Some estimates suggested the Range Extender pack would need a capacity of around 47 kWh to bump up the truck’s range so significantly. That’s a similar-sized battery to some small EVs on the market, and the pack may have weighed upwards of 600 lbs (272 kg). If that were the case, it would need to be professionally installed by a Tesla center, and would not be something that owners could easily fit and remove if they were planning any long road trips.

Tesla initially planned to launch the battery in early 2025, but in October last year, it pushed back that launch until mid-2025. That time is now fast approaching, and the Range Extender is nowhere to be seen.

Tensions surrounding Elon Musk’s controversial public image continue to spill over—sometimes literally—onto Tesla vehicles. Police in Kentwood, Michigan, are asking for the public’s help in identifying two men believed to be involved in the vandalism of five Cybertrucks. As attacks on Tesla vehicles spread across the United States, some police departments are ramping up efforts to track down those responsible.

The vandalism took place on March 10, when five Cybertrucks were targeted while parked in a lot outside Woodland Mall. Each vehicle was spray-painted overnight, with one bearing the message “Nazis always lose” across its doors, a likely jab at Elon Musk and the widely criticized salute he made during President Donal Trump’s inauguration.

Read: Tesla Vows To Prosecute Vandals Over Swastikas, But Owners Have Little Recourse

Photos published by the Kentwood Police Department and shared by Fox17 show two young men who could be tied to the vandalism. One of them was wearing a green hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes and was spotted near the area, while another had a blue and white hoodie, a beanie, black pants, and black shoes. Local authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the men to contact them immediately.

This is far from the only recent case of vandals attacking Tesla vehicles and property with Nazi-related messages. In February, a Cybertruck parked on the road in Lower Manhattan had a huge swastika painted across its side, while at around the same time, a Tesla Supercharger was also defaced with a Nazi message and a swastika.

The pattern of vandalism has even extended to Tesla’s own facilities. Police in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are currently investigating a separate incident in which a window was damaged at a local Tesla manufacturing site. According to reporting from MLive, the damage occurred sometime between March 28 and March 31.

Some law enforcement officials appear to be losing patience. Last week, Sheriff Richard Jones from Butler County, Ohio, described Tesla vandals as “fat people that live in their mom’s basement and wear their mom’s pajamas” and warned that anyone caught damaging a Tesla in his jurisdiction could face jail time.

While the motivations behind these attacks vary, police departments across the country are stepping up efforts to identify suspects and prevent further incidents. For now, investigators in Kentwood are hoping the public can help close the loop on their latest case.

It wasn’t long ago that some people were shelling out high-end sports car money for lightly used Tesla Cybertrucks. The hype was real, the prices were wild—and now? Not so much. These days, you can pick up one of Tesla’s electric pickups for well under sticker price, and as time goes on, we suspect prices will continue to fall much further.

Read: Tesla’s Recall Fix Left This Cybertruck With A Burn Mark And Panel Gap

When it first hit the market, a Cybertruck AWD Foundation Series like the one seen here came with a $99,990 price tag before delivery fees and taxes. For those chasing maximum performance, the Tri-Motor Cyberbeast version stretched that figure to $119,990. Recently, this particular Cybertruck AWD Foundation Series crossed the auction block at Cars&bids for $82,000. That’s despite having only 2,600 miles (4,184 km) on the odometer.

Auction Highlights and Extras

The truck sold with a clean Carfax report and remains completely stock. The only modification is a $2,270 ceramic coating, which should make washing it less of a chore—no small feat when the truck in question is a rolling sheet of bare stainless steel. The sale also included a set of accessories, most notably the Cybertruck Cooler. It fits neatly in the frunk and can store up to 90 cans of your beverage of choice.

While the Cybertruck has been very controversial since the moment it was unveiled as a concept in 2019, there are plenty of people who absolutely love it. If you can get over the refrigerator looks, it’s hard not to be a fan of twin electric motors that combine to deliver 600 hp and 521 lb-ft (706 Nm) of torque. That’s enough to send it down the quarter-mile in roughly 12.4 seconds, all while spinning heads and dropping jaws in the process.

Importantly, this example also comes with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package. And yes, while FSD is still a bit of a misnomer—and the feature remains in beta limbo—having it onboard does offer some future-proofing. If Tesla eventually delivers on its autonomy promises, owners of trucks like this one could be ahead of the curve. Or they’ll still be waiting. Time will tell.

It’s tough to predict what the used Cybertruck market will look like in a few years. What’s clear for now is that Tesla has delivered far fewer than it aimed to—nowhere near the 1 million pre-orders fans were once bragging about. The company hasn’t released official figures, but the recent cant rail recall, which appears to affect every unit delivered through March, offers a useful estimate. Just 46,096 trucks have reached customers so far, a number that proves demand hasn’t matched the early hype.

Aside from issues with the truck itself, the most likely factor is shifting public sentiment toward CEO Elon Musk, whose increasingly visible political involvement and especially his ties to the Trump administration through DOGE, has turned the Cybertruck into a rolling protest symbol. Add in early reliability issues and a growing stack of recalls, and it’s no surprise more are hitting the used market. If that trend continues, prices are bound to keep falling.

Photos Cars & Bids