Tesla has canceled plans to bring the Cybertruck to Australia and New Zealand, abandoning its planned expansion into the two markets and leaving the electric pickup without a right-hand-drive version in the foreseeable future. The decision comes as the Cybertruck struggles to meet its original production ambitions and faces disappointing sales despite once attracting more than one million reservations.
Tesla Ends Cybertruck Plans for Australia and New Zealand
Tesla originally envisioned producing around 250,000 Cybertrucks annually, but the electric pickup has fallen well short of that target. Demand for electric vehicles in the United States has also been weaker than expected, particularly after the Trump administration ended the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in September 2025.
The challenges extend beyond the U.S. market. Tesla has discontinued plans to produce the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand, meaning the company will not introduce a right-hand-drive version anytime soon. The decision could also limit the pickup’s potential reach in other markets where right-hand-drive vehicles are used.
Reservation Holders Face Nearly Seven Years of Waiting
In an email to reservation holders, Tesla confirmed that the planned expansion had been canceled.
“After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued. As a result, we’re unable to fulfil your reservation, and it will be cancelled.”
The announcement came nearly seven years after prospective buyers placed their deposits, at a time when the Cybertruck appeared poised to become a significant player in the electric vehicle market.
Since then, Tesla has adjusted the pickup’s pricing several times, pointing to the challenge of finding the right balance between affordability and consumer demand. The company has also been shifting its attention toward other projects, including the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot.
Optimus is planned to roll off the assembly line in Fremont, California, which Tesla is freeing up by discontinuing the Model S and Model X.
Cybertruck Sales Fall Short of Tesla’s Ambitions
Sales remain a major challenge for the Cybertruck. Cox Automotive estimates that Tesla sold 4,323 units in the United States in the third quarter of 2026, a modest figure for a vehicle that once attracted more than one million reservations.
Despite those numbers, the Cybertruck was the best-selling electric pickup during the quarter, outperforming competitors such as the Rivian R1T. However, its sales remained far below those of Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, the Model Y, which sold nearly 100,000 units.
The contrast highlights the gap between the Cybertruck’s initial demand and its current sales performance, adding to questions about the electric pickup’s long-term position in Tesla’s lineup.
Uncertainty Grows Across the Electric Pickup Market
The Cybertruck’s future remains uncertain as other automakers reconsider their strategies for full-size electric pickups. Ford ended production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning, while Ram canceled plans for a battery-electric version of the 1500 in favor of a range-extended model.
These changes reflect the challenges facing electric pickups as manufacturers reassess their product plans. Tesla, however, has not announced plans to discontinue the Cybertruck or introduce a successor.
Tesla Signals a Potential Shift in Cybertruck Production
One indication of Tesla’s potential direction came during the company’s earnings call on January 28, 2026. During the call, Elon Musk discussed transitioning the Cybertruck production line toward fully autonomous vehicles, potentially for local cargo deliveries within cities.
For now, Tesla has not confirmed a broader change to the Cybertruck’s future. The cancellation of its Australia and New Zealand plans, combined with sales figures that remain far below its original ambitions, leaves the electric pickup facing significant uncertainty.
