In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry, Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, is grappling with a harsh reality: Ford’s electric vehicle dominance, particularly with the F-150 Lightning, has left Tesla’s Cybertruck on the brink of extinction. Announced at 10:00 AM +07 on May 30, 2025, recent sales data reveals a catastrophic collapse in Cybertruck demand, with Tesla’s futuristic pickup truck facing an uncertain future as unsold inventory piles up and Ford cements its lead in the EV market. Musk, once confident in the Cybertruck’s revolutionary potential, now finds himself at a crossroads, with the vehicle’s survival hanging in the balance as of 02:03 PM +07 on May 30, 2025.
The Cybertruck’s Fall from Grace
When Elon Musk unveiled the Cybertruck in November 2019, he promised a game-changer: an “apocalypse-proof” vehicle with a stainless steel exoskeleton, bulletproof glass, and the ability to outrun a Porsche while towing one. Priced initially at $40,000, it was marketed as a mass-market disruptor, with Musk claiming over 1 million reservations by 2023. But the reality has been starkly different. Deliveries began in late 2023, and since then, the Cybertruck has been plagued by production delays, eight recalls in 15 months, and a price tag that ballooned to over $80,000 for top models, far exceeding Musk’s original promise.
Sales figures paint a grim picture. In 2024, Tesla sold only 39,000 Cybertrucks, an 84% shortfall from Musk’s target of 250,000 units. The first quarter of 2025 was even worse, with just 6,406 units sold, according to Cox Automotive data. By May 2025, over 10,000 Cybertrucks remain unsold, clogging inventory lots in places like Farmington Hills, Michigan, where local authorities have raised zoning concerns. The value of used Cybertrucks has plummeted 46% in the past year, with Tesla offering just $65,000 for a $100,000 truck bought in 2024 with 6,000 miles on it—a depreciation typically seen in pickups after five years, not one.
The Cybertruck’s troubles extend beyond numbers. Public perception has soured, with the vehicle dubbed “MAGAmobile” and “W*nkpanzer” on social media, reflecting backlash against Musk’s political involvement with President Donald Trump’s administration. Protests at Tesla dealerships, vandalism of Cybertrucks, and even a firebombing incident in Kansas City in April 2025 highlight the growing animosity. A California Highway Patrol rescue of a Cybertruck stranded in the Truckee River in April 2025—after its owner believed Musk’s claim it could “serve briefly as a boat”—further damaged its reputation as a practical vehicle.
Ford’s Electric Dominance
While Tesla struggles, Ford has quietly solidified its position as a leader in the EV pickup market. The F-150 Lightning, Ford’s electric version of America’s best-selling vehicle, outsold the Cybertruck in Q1 2025, with Cybertruck sales slowing further in April. Ford’s success lies in its pragmatic approach: the F-150 Lightning offers a familiar design, a competitive starting price of $62,000 (before federal EV credits), and a robust charging network, appealing to traditional truck buyers. Unlike the Cybertruck, which has been marketed as a futuristic oddity, Ford emphasizes utility, towing capacity, and reliability—qualities that resonate with its core demographic.
Ford’s broader EV strategy has also gained traction. The company’s Mustang Mach-E has seen steady sales growth, and its investment in battery production has mitigated supply chain issues that have hampered Tesla. Ford’s ability to maintain customer loyalty while transitioning to electric has given it an edge, with industry analysts noting that the F-150 Lightning’s sales in 2025 are on track to double the Cybertruck’s projected 28,000–30,000 units for the year. This stark contrast has left Musk visibly shaken, sources close to Tesla say, as Ford’s dominance threatens to render the Cybertruck irrelevant in a market Tesla once aimed to revolutionize.
Musk’s Reaction and Tesla’s Struggles
Insiders report that Musk was blindsided by Ford’s surge, having underestimated the legacy automaker’s ability to adapt. During a Tesla earnings call on April 23, 2025, Musk admitted to production challenges, citing a “major disruption” in Cybertruck manufacturing and a recall of nearly 4,000 units due to a faulty accelerator pedal. His tone was uncharacteristically subdued, a far cry from his 2022 TED interview claim that he knew “more about manufacturing than anyone alive on Earth.” Tesla employees, frustrated by the Cybertruck’s failure, even called for Musk’s resignation in May 2025, attributing the company’s 71% profit drop to his political distractions and mismanagement.
Musk’s role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he stepped away from on May 29, 2025, after his 130-day SGE term ended, has been a significant factor in Tesla’s woes. His far-right political stances, including support for Trump and European parties like Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland, have alienated customers. Tesla’s sales in Europe plunged 47% in April 2025, with protests at dealerships in both the U.S. and Europe reflecting public discontent. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives noted in a May 23 research report that 2025 has been a “dark chapter” for Tesla, with Musk’s political involvement creating “brand damage and a black cloud” over the company.
Tesla’s broader challenges compound the Cybertruck’s plight. The company’s aging model lineup and intensifying competition from Chinese EV makers like BYD have eroded its market share. In response, Tesla has shifted its Cybertruck marketing, rebranding it as a practical work truck akin to the F-150, with a new base model priced at $62,490 after federal credits. But the pivot may be too late—inventory levels suggest a three-month supply of unsold Cybertrucks, and production at Gigafactory Texas has been throttled, with workers taking a full week off in May 2025 due to low demand.
The Cybertruck’s Possible Extermination
The Cybertruck’s future looks increasingly bleak. With sales projections for 2025 at a mere 28,000–30,000 units, far below Musk’s original vision, Tesla faces a tough decision. Analysts speculate that a production pause could be imminent, following the company’s earlier decision to drop some production targets at its Austin Gigafactory. The Cybertruck’s high production costs—exacerbated by its complex stainless steel design—combined with its dwindling appeal, make it a financial burden for Tesla, which is already reeling from a 13% sales drop and a 71% profit decline.
Ford’s dominance adds pressure. The F-150 Lightning’s success has not only captured market share but also shifted consumer expectations, favoring reliability over novelty. The Cybertruck, once hailed as a “rolling billboard” and compared to the DeLorean for its futuristic allure, has failed to live up to the hype. Its design quirks, such as sharp edges that make it illegal in many global markets, and Musk’s unfulfilled promises—like a 500-mile range that never materialized—have alienated even its core demographic of doomsday preppers and tech enthusiasts. A Chechen warlord’s claim that Musk remotely disabled a militarized Cybertruck in May 2025 further underscored the vehicle’s impracticality for extreme use cases.
What’s Next for Musk and Tesla?
Musk’s shock at Ford’s domination has prompted a strategic retreat. After stepping away from DOGE, he vowed to refocus on Tesla, telling investors on April 23, 2025, that his government work would drop to one to two days a week. Tesla is now accelerating development of more affordable EV models to counter competition, but the Cybertruck’s fate remains uncertain. Some industry experts suggest Tesla may quietly phase out the vehicle, redirecting resources to its upcoming robotaxi platform, which Musk has prioritized as a future growth driver.
For now, the Cybertruck stands as a cautionary tale of overambition. Musk’s vision of a trapezoidal future, once embraced by millions of reservation holders, has collided with market realities and public backlash. Ford’s pragmatic approach has won the day, leaving Tesla to pick up the pieces of a dream that may soon be extinguished. As of 02:03 PM +07 on May 30, 2025, the Cybertruck’s potential extermination looms large, a stark reminder that even the most visionary leaders can falter when hubris outpaces practicality.
