Cybertruck ending: Tesla's loudest fans turn on Elon Musk

Why is Tesla ending the Cybertruck?

Musk's stated reason is to free up space at Giga Texas for the fully autonomous Cybercab. Meekhof called that a terrible idea, since it swaps products people can buy for an autonomous platform still held back by software and regulation. One X user, @TeslaXplored, wrote that dropping consumer cars "will be the end of Tesla!"

Musk rejects the idea that the truck died because it lost money. "The Cybertruck order rate far exceeds our production rate," he wrote, adding that Tesla will build as many as it can before shutting the line in about eight months, and will have to return deposits to many buyers.

Sales, though, have been weak throughout. Musk once floated 250,000 to 500,000 Cybertrucks a year. Tesla is estimated to have sold around 20,000 last year, and is on track for fewer this year.

What is left in Tesla's lineup?

Tesla already dropped the Model S and Model X earlier this year. Without the Cybertruck, the only cars you can actually buy are the Model 3 and Model Y. The Semi is a commercial truck, and it is unclear whether the Cybercab will ever be sold to consumers.

One aftermarket firm, Unplugged Performance, has offered to build the Cybertruck and other vehicles on its platform under license, with investors paying. Its pitch: "Worth a conversation?" Musk, meanwhile, is selling a future built on the Cybercab and humanoid robots.