Tesla Delays Cybertruck Deliveries, Leaving Buyers Confused

Tesla has delayed deliveries of its Cybertruck in recent days, according to buyers, the latest stumble for the automaker facing weakening demand for its electric vehicles.

Buyers say Tesla pushed back the scheduled delivery date for the stainless steel pickup truck without giving a reason. It couldn’t be determined how many buyers were affected.

Tesla didn’t immediately return a request for comment Tuesday.

The Cybertruck, Tesla’s newest electric vehicle, hit the market in November. Elon Musk, the company’s chief executive, has warned the model is unlikely to generate significant cash flow before the end of the year. The unusual-looking pickup turns heads when it’s seen on the street. It isn’t nearly as ubiquitous as other Tesla models but has been driven by celebrities including Kim Kardashian.

Tesla, the world’s most valuable automaker, has used the Cybertruck to try to renew interest in electric vehicles, which has broadly waned in recent years. Tesla stock dropped to its lowest level in nearly a year Tuesday, a day after the company said it planned to lay off more than 10% of its global workforce. Two of Musk’s top deputies also said they were leaving Tesla.

One Cybertruck buyer, Max Pyko of Birmingham, Ala., said he was supposed to pick up his Cybertruck on April 13 but received a text message alerting him that the delivery had been canceled. He was given a tentative new delivery date of April 20.

In a text message Pyko received from Tesla, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the carmaker said, “We have just been informed of an unexpected delay regarding the preparation of your vehicle. We need to cancel your delivery appointment for tomorrow and we will reach out again when we’re able to get you back on the schedule.”

The carmaker said in a second message to Pyko, “It appears they need at least until April 20th to correct the issue, but it could be potentially longer than that. Tesla is working on getting improved parts to all affected locations asap.”

Pyko, 41, said he received “absolutely zero” communication from Tesla explaining the delay.

At least one Cybertruck owner reported on social media that his accelerator pedal got stuck when a panel came off the top of the pedal.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which issues vehicle recalls, said Tuesday it was aware of the issue and “in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information.”

The agency in January issued a recall for the 2024 Cybertruck and other Tesla models. The NHTSA said when the vehicles flashed warning lights, the font size was small and difficult to read, which raised the risk of a crash.

The cheapest Cybertruck model sells for around $76,000, and a more expensive version, called the Cyberbeast, starts at about $96,000, according to Tesla’s website. By comparison, the cheapest Model 3 sells for less than a third of the price of the Cyberbeast.

Currently the Cybertruck can be ordered on Tesla’s website for delivery next year. The automaker said a less expensive Cybertruck model would be available next year. Tesla said the model can be driven off-road and used to tow cargo.

Tesla said its global vehicle deliveries were down 8.5% in the first three months of this year compared with a year earlier. The company has faced growing competition from Chinese carmakers. Tesla has been competing with Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD, which reported a jump in sales last month.

Write to Alyssa Lukpat at [email protected] and Joseph De Avila at [email protected]