A year and a half after launching one of the most anticipated vehicles in its history, Tesla is facing a problem it didn’t expect—Cybertruck demand is slipping, and inventory is ballooning. With nearly 2,400 units reportedly unsold and sitting idle, the electric automaker finds itself at a difficult crossroads: too many trucks, too few buyers.
The futuristic-looking vehicle once hailed as a symbol of disruption is now causing internal headaches. From falling resale values to stalled trade-ins and even a growing reputation problem, Tesla’s Cybertruck may be entering its most critical test yet.
Sluggish Sales Wipe Out the Old Excuses
Last year, it was easy to rationalize the slow Cybertruck rollout. Production hadn’t fully ramped up, and Tesla’s Foundation Series carried a premium price tag, pricing many out of the market.
The truck also didn’t qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, limiting appeal even more. But fast forward to this year, and none of those reasons hold weight.
Production is no longer the bottleneck. Tesla has smoothed out many of its early manufacturing kinks and ramped up its factory lines. The Foundation Series is still in circulation but not enough to explain the massive backlog. And crucially, price cuts and tax breaks have started to show up.
Yet the trucks still aren’t moving.
A Trim Recall Adds to the Pile
On top of sluggish demand, Tesla ran into a new and unexpected problem in March—a recall. A piece of trim on the truck was falling off, prompting the company to put a containment hold on every unit produced so far.
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Fix introduced on March 21st at the factory
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Older trucks still need recall servicing
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Estimated 2,400 Cybertrucks in unsold inventory
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Value of unsold inventory: ~$200 million
That’s a huge pile-up of stainless steel and shattered expectations. And as these vehicles sit waiting for buyers—or repairs—Tesla’s production line has been forced to slow down.
No Trade-Ins, No Way Out for Owners
Adding salt to the wound, Tesla isn’t taking Cybertrucks back. Literally. The company is reportedly declining to accept Cybertrucks as trade-ins, leaving some customers stranded with a depreciating asset.
Several owners who’ve had ongoing service issues with their trucks are trying to return them. But Tesla’s response? Go through the Lemon Law process.
This has only worsened customer dissatisfaction, especially as trade-in rejections signal a deeper concern. Even Tesla doesn’t want to bet on its own vehicle’s value.
Used Prices Are in Free Fall
If you thought the resale market would offer a lifeline, think again. The Cybertruck is tanking in the used car scene.
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55% drop in resale value year-over-year
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13% drop in just the last 3 months
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6% decline in the past 30 days
Dealers are wary, and buyers are skeptical. Several used car outlets are reportedly offering low-ball prices for the Cybertruck, unsure of where the market is headed.
The resale nosedive also speaks to a growing lack of confidence—not just from consumers, but from the industry at large.
Discounts Loom, But Tesla Waits
Despite the slow-moving inventory and market hesitations, Tesla hasn’t pulled the trigger on major discounts—yet. Insiders believe the company is waiting to sell off remaining Foundation Series trucks before slashing prices on the standard model.
The RWD Cybertruck, a more affordable version, is expected to launch soon. When it does, it’ll likely send used prices tumbling even further, creating a ripple effect across the market.
That said, Tesla is known for playing the long game. They may be biding time for a better entry point—one that lets them clear inventory without damaging the brand’s perceived value too much.
What’s Next for the Steel Beast?
Tesla’s got a product that people love to talk about but are hesitant to actually buy. The unique design, while iconic, is polarizing. Its enormous size, unfamiliar controls, and luxury-truck pricing haven’t helped either.
Can the Cybertruck recover? It’s hard to say. A mid-cycle refresh might help. A price drop definitely would. But the bigger question is whether the Cybertruck can ever be more than a viral meme on wheels.
One thing’s clear—this isn’t how Tesla imagined its truck rollout would go. The company that usually sells cars faster than it can make them now finds itself with more vehicles than customers.
