A Texan customer took just one day to return his Cybertruck after purchasing it. The reason? He had bought the Tesla Cybertruck on April 25th, and just a few hours later, the vehicle was ready for pickup. This immediacy in delivery, despite what it might seem, is bad news.
Reza Soltani is, or rather was, one of the buyers of the Tesla Cybertruck. He placed his order on April 25th and was surprised to receive a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) immediately after receiving the notification the same day that his car was ready for pickup.
Puzzled, he asked Tesla where the vehicle came from and how it could possibly be ready so quickly. A Tesla representative quickly informed him that his Cybertruck had left the factory on January 8th.
Cybertrucks and Their Dates
Buying a vehicle that has been in production for several months has an immediate impact: stockpiling. In Tesla’s case, this is especially relevant, as its models tend to be in high demand (like the Model 3), and it’s common for units in stock to be just a few weeks old.
Considering it is an open secret that Tesla has thousands of Cybertrucks piled up outside that it hasn’t been able to sell for months, the buyer’s rejection of one that’s four months old is more than understandable.
Having a vehicle stored in a yard for four months isn’t optimal for its health. This is especially important in the case of an electric vehicle, as factors like the battery’s storage temperature, its charge level, air ventilation to prevent moisture, and possible rust all play a role.
One of the photographers at Tesla’s Gigafactories published an image on X—without providing many details—showing dozens of Cybertrucks fresh out of production. Some were ready for delivery, while others were still awaiting owners.
The Problem with the Yards
The problem is that, on more than one occasion, Tesla has been caught stockpiling hundreds of unsold vehicles in yards. And, yes, there will be some unlucky owner who will end up receiving one of the Teslas that has been sitting out in the open for months.
Tesla’s experience in perfecting the production of the Model 3 and Model Y is very different from the troubled history of the Cybertruck. This electric pickup truck suffers from rapid depreciation due to its sky-high repair costs, numerous recalls, and various problems associated with its manufacturing.
It’s predictable that potential customers for a Cybertruck will want a new one—something that clashes head-on with the massive fleet of unsold vehicles Tesla currently has at its factories.
More Production Than Sales
This excess stock is due to a basic premise: Tesla has manufactured far more Cybertrucks than its customers demand. So much so that the company is starting to drastically lower prices and expand into new markets, such as Saudi Arabia, to stabilise sales.
Last April, we heard about an inevitable response to this situation: Tesla is starting to reduce production of the Cybertruck and cut some of its production teams by up to half, according to sources cited by Business Insider.