Tesla pauses $61,000 Cybertruck orders as demand shifts

Tesla has abruptly stopped taking orders for the most affordable Cybertruck variant priced at $61,000. According to 32CARS.RU, only the top-spec trims remain on the company’s site, including the dual-motor Foundation Edition at $99,990 and the tri-motor Cyberbeast at $119,990. The first batch of these models could reach customers as early as November.

Reuters reports that the move is tied to a reassessment of demand and excess inventory of the pricier versions. Analysts note that Tesla had counted on a million reservations, but real interest in the high-dollar configurations fell short of expectations. Even so, the Cybertruck notched a record 4,800 sales in July, becoming the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. priced above $100,000. That contrast—softer appetite for the expensive specs alongside a headline sales peak—captures the truck’s peculiar place in the market.

Tesla began deliveries in November 2023 after years of delays. Elon Musk had initially promised a price around $40,000 and a range of up to 800 km, but the production versions arrived costlier and with less range. Expectations set long ago still shape how the current lineup is perceived.

For now, the company is leaning into limited runs and higher margins, gradually narrowing access for mainstream buyers. The strategy may prop up profits in the short term, yet it also casts doubt on Tesla’s ambition to scale to 200,000 pickups a year. On paper, the pivot looks tidy; in practice, it tests how far the brand can stretch demand at the top end.