Elon Musk Considers Killing Off Cybertruck After Humiliating Defeat by Ford F-150 Lightning in Sales Race

It was once hailed as the future of automotive innovation, a symbol of bold design and revolutionary engineering that only Elon Musk could dream up. But in a stunning turn of events, the Tesla Cybertruck now faces a deeply uncertain future as Ford's F-150 Lightning pulls ahead in the race for electric pickup dominance.

According to multiple industry sources and confirmed registration data, the Cybertruck has been decisively overtaken in both momentum and market appeal, pushing Tesla’s mercurial CEO to reportedly reconsider the truck’s viability in an increasingly competitive electric vehicle (EV) landscape. 

What once seemed like Musk’s titanium-clad moonshot into the EV pickup sector has begun to feel more like a misfired prototype, dragging behind a more conventional but far more reliable rival from America’s legacy auto titan.

The blow to Tesla's ambitions became publicly apparent after new data from S&P Global Mobility showed that the Ford F-150 Lightning registered 2,598 units in March 2025, compared to just 2,170 Cybertrucks during the same period. While the 428-unit gap may not seem massive on paper, it carries an outsized symbolic weight.

This is not simply a matter of month-to-month fluctuations; it marks a continued trend where Ford’s electric pickup has been outperforming the highly-publicized, heavily-hyped Cybertruck. In fact, the first quarter of 2025 shows Ford leading the way with 7,913 electric pickups registered, outpacing Tesla’s total of 7,126 units—a clear and consistent lead that suggests this isn’t just a temporary stumble for Musk’s brainchild, but rather a fundamental market rejection.

The reason for the Cybertruck’s dwindling allure lies in a mixture of overpromising, underdelivering, and pricing miscalculations that have alienated even Tesla’s most enthusiastic supporters. Back in 2019, when Musk first unveiled the angular, sci-fi inspired behemoth to global fanfare, he promised a base model price of $39,900 with over 250 miles of range.

That original sticker price became a cornerstone of Cybertruck’s appeal—an affordable, durable EV that could reshape the truck market. But the dream began to unravel as reality set in. Fast-forward to 2025, and the cheapest Cybertruck available costs $69,990—nearly $30,000 more than what was initially promised—with the entry-level rear-wheel drive model offering a range of roughly 350 miles.

The situation becomes even more frustrating when one compares Tesla’s original pricing structure to what customers are being asked to pay today. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant was initially expected to start at $49,900. Today, that same configuration is listed at $79,990, a staggering 60% increase.

These drastic price hikes have not only disappointed early reservation holders but also alienated new buyers who are now turning to more stable, predictable alternatives like the Ford F-150 Lightning, which has managed to deliver on its core promises without the circus of constant revision and political drama.

Indeed, politics have only added to Cybertruck’s woes. Elon Musk’s increasingly controversial presence on social media and outspoken political commentary have polarized potential buyers and placed Tesla in the crosshairs of cultural debates. In an era where consumer values are deeply intertwined with brand identity, Musk’s alignment with divisive ideologies has made the Cybertruck a lightning rod—both literally and metaphorically—for criticism.

Ford, on the other hand, has kept its head down and focused on product execution, leaning into its longstanding brand trust and delivering a vehicle that simply works.

Inside Tesla, reports suggest growing internal tensions about the future of the Cybertruck. While Musk has yet to make any public declarations about scrapping the vehicle altogether, sources familiar with internal strategy discussions say the possibility is very real.

Given the underwhelming performance in a segment Tesla expected to dominate, executives are reportedly reevaluating whether continuing to pour resources into the Cybertruck is worth the damage to the company’s credibility and bottom line. Musk’s initial bravado—calling the truck “bulletproof” and claiming demand was “off the charts”—now seems almost comically optimistic when measured against real-world sales.

More troubling for Tesla is the broader strategic implication of this failure. The Cybertruck was not just a vehicle; it was a brand pillar, a marketing centerpiece designed to show that Tesla could enter—and conquer—any automotive segment, no matter how entrenched.

Its failure represents more than a missed opportunity. It questions Tesla's capacity to adapt, its willingness to listen to customer feedback, and most importantly, its ability to deliver on promises. In an industry where competition is intensifying from all sides—Ford, GM, Rivian, and even international upstarts—Tesla can no longer rely solely on Musk’s cult of personality to sell vehicles.

Meanwhile, Ford is capitalizing on every misstep. The F-150 Lightning, though more conservative in design, hits the sweet spot for buyers looking for reliability, functionality, and brand familiarity.

Unlike the Cybertruck, which evokes reactions ranging from admiration to mockery, the Lightning fits seamlessly into the American pickup tradition—only now with an electric twist. Ford’s strategic patience, manufacturing consistency, and transparency in pricing have proven to be winning formulas. And in today’s EV market, execution trumps hype.

Tesla’s future in the truck segment may now hinge on a dramatic pivot. Some analysts speculate that if Cybertruck sales continue to lag through the second and third quarters of 2025, the company may announce a limited run or “special edition” approach to quietly phase out the model.

Others believe Musk could double down, lowering prices or releasing a revamped version to salvage the brand’s dignity. But either option will come with significant costs—financially, reputationally, and strategically.

The irony, of course, is that Elon Musk still commands immense media attention. Even as his vehicles underperform or fall short of expectations, the public remains captivated by what he might say or do next. But this fascination no longer guarantees sales.

The Cybertruck saga has become a cautionary tale for tech-driven disruption: you can’t code your way past consumer disappointment. Real-world products require real-world trust, and trust is harder to build than steel exoskeletons.

In the end, the Ford F-150 Lightning’s rise may be remembered not only as a win for Ford, but as a moment of reckoning for Elon Musk and Tesla—a reminder that bold visions must eventually meet reality. And for the Cybertruck, that reality is looking increasingly grim. Whether it survives or ends up as a footnote in Tesla’s history may depend on what Musk does next. But for now, it’s Ford—not Tesla—that’s driving off into the electric sunset.