By Isabelle Wilson-

Tesla is preparing to refund deposits to a significant number of customers who placed orders for its Cybertruck electric pickup, after admitting that outstanding orders exceed the number of vehicles the company can produce before the model’s production line closes next year.

Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk (pictured)confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X on Monday, November 9, 2026, saying the electric vehicle manufacturer would attempt to fulfil as many outstanding orders as possible before shutting down production at its Texas factory in approximately eight months.

“We will try to make as many as possible before shutting down the line in about 8 months, but will have to return deposits for a lot of people,” Musk said.

The announcement highlights the difficulties facing Tesla as it reassesses the future of the Cybertruck, a vehicle that generated significant attention when it was unveiled but has struggled to achieve the sales volumes originally anticipated by the company’s leadership.

The planned production shutdown follows Tesla’s decision to redirect manufacturing resources towards its Cybercab robotaxi project, which is central to Musk’s ambitions to expand the company’s autonomous-driving business.

Musk announced last Friday that Cybertruck production would be wound down by mid-2027, allowing the company to use the factory’s capacity and resources to increase output of the self-driving vehicle.

Before the planned shutdown, Tesla intends to introduce an additional production shift to help clear existing Cybertruck orders. However, Musk’s latest comments suggest that the company will be unable to fulfil all outstanding reservations, leaving many customers facing refunds rather than delivery of the electric pickup they had ordered.

The decision represents a significant change in direction for a vehicle that was once presented as a major growth opportunity for Tesla. When the Cybertruck was first introduced, Musk made ambitious projections about its commercial potential, suggesting that annual sales could eventually reach approximately 250,000 units.

However, actual demand has fallen considerably short of those expectations. According to Kelley Blue Book figures, US Cybertruck sales declined by 48 per cent to 20,237 vehicles last year, underlining the challenges Tesla has encountered in turning the unconventional electric pickup into a mass-market success.

Tesla began delivering the Cybertruck to customers in late 2023 after years of anticipation. Its distinctive stainless-steel exterior, angular design and electric powertrain attracted considerable attention, helping it become one of the most recognisable vehicles in the company’s product range.

Despite the publicity surrounding its launch, the vehicle has faced difficulties sustaining consumer demand. The sharp decline in US sales has raised questions about its long-term commercial prospects and the extent to which it can compete in an increasingly competitive electric vehicle market.

The decision to discontinue production also reflects Tesla’s broader strategic priorities as the company seeks to strengthen its position in autonomous transportation. The Cybercab is expected to play a central role in Musk’s vision of a future in which self-driving vehicles provide transport services without conventional human drivers.

Tesla is signalling through its redirection of manufacturing resources towards its project  that it considers autonomous mobility a more important long-term opportunity than continuing to expand Cybertruck production. The planned transition, however, could create uncertainty for customers who have already paid deposits and are still waiting for their vehicles.

While Musk has indicated that Tesla will make efforts to complete as many outstanding orders as possible, he has acknowledged that a substantial number of customers will not receive their Cybertrucks. The company has not provided a detailed breakdown of how many customers will be affected or when individual refunds will be processed.

The Cybertruck production wind-down marks an important moment in its evolving business strategy. The vehicle’s initial launch generated enormous expectations, but declining sales and the company’s changing priorities have forced a reassessment of its place in the manufacturer’s future product plans.

Tesla is under pressure to  to translate Musk’s ambitious autonomous-driving vision into a commercially successful business while managing the expectations of customers who had committed to purchasing the Cybertruck.

The latest announcement  underscores the gap between Tesla’s original ambitions for its electric pickup and the market response, while highlighting the company’s growing determination to prioritise autonomous transportation as a major part of its future.