Tesla remains under pressure: The Cybertruck, once hailed as a project of the future, is gradually becoming a problem child for the company. Following revelations that Cybertruck sales have fallen far short of expectations, Elon Musk now appears to be simply purchasing unsold inventory of the futuristic electric truck through his own companies. According to Electrek, SpaceX and xAI have acquired several hundred Cybertrucks in recent weeks. Officially, the move is framed as a transition from existing petrol-powered company cars to electric vehicles. However, critics believe that the primary motive is to reduce inventory of unsold Cybertrucks and inflate sales figures – which don’t look good at all for the US automaker.
A Grand Vision Meets a Harsh Reality
When the Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019, its radical, angular design shattered conventional notions of what a pickup truck could be. Elon Musk promised a vehicle that was not only tough and durable but also a high-performance machine capable of out-accelerating sports cars. The public's reaction was a mix of shock, awe, and skepticism, but pre-orders poured in, suggesting a hungry market for this audacious vehicle.
However, the path from prototype to production has been fraught with challenges. Manufacturing the Cybertruck's stainless-steel exoskeleton proved exceptionally difficult, leading to significant delays. Now, with the trucks finally rolling off the production line at Tesla’s Giga Texas factory, a new problem has emerged: a glaring gap between initial forecasts and actual consumer demand.
Tesla had originally projected ambitious annual sales of up to 300,000 Cybertrucks. But recent estimates tell a different story. In the first quarter of 2025, the company reportedly sold only around 5,000 units. Media reports and drone footage have consistently shown thousands of unsold Cybertrucks sitting in lots around the Austin factory, a silent testament to the sales struggle. Even substantial price cuts, a classic Tesla tactic to spur demand, have so far failed to deliver a sustained turnaround.
You can see the scale of the production and inventory for yourself in this detailed flyover from NASASpaceflight, which vividly illustrates the situation on the ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4zS6elBOIU
A Circular Solution: Musk's Companies to the Rescue
In a surprising twist, a new buyer has emerged for the stainless-steel pickups: Elon Musk himself. Well, not personally, but through his other flagship companies. Reports confirm that both SpaceX, his aerospace manufacturer, and xAI, his artificial intelligence startup, have purchased several hundred Cybertrucks.
Officially, the narrative is one of corporate responsibility and modernization. A spokesperson for the companies stated the purchases are part of a strategic initiative to transition their fleets of gasoline-powered service vehicles to electric vehicles, aligning with a broader sustainability mission.
The vehicles have already been spotted being deployed. Observations confirm that several Cybertrucks have been moved to key operational sites, including the SpaceX Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, the Starlink factory in Bastrop, and various xAI offices. The YouTube channel NASASpaceflight documented their arrival at Starbase, showing the trucks being integrated into the compound. Speculation is rife that while some will be used as company fleet vehicles, others may be allocated as perks for top employees.
For a deeper look into the history and specifications of this controversial vehicle, the Tesla Cybertruck Wikipedia page provides comprehensive detail.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Cybertruck
Window Dressing or Pragmatic Electrification?
The move has sparked a fierce debate among industry analysts and Tesla watchers. Supporters see it as a pragmatic and efficient solution. "This is a win-win," argues one Tesla bull. "Musk's companies get cutting-edge electric vehicles for their operations, and Tesla moves inventory. It's a vertical integration strategy in action."
However, critics are calling it a blatant form of corporate "window dressing." They argue that the primary goal is to artificially inflate Tesla's sales numbers and clear out a growing and embarrassing inventory glut. By having controlled entities purchase the vehicles, Tesla can book them as sales, potentially propping up its quarterly earnings report and reassuring nervous investors. This practice, while not illegal if properly disclosed, can obscure the true level of organic consumer demand.
"This is a classic case of 'we have a buyer, it's us,'" said one auto industry analyst who wished to remain anonymous. "It doesn't solve the fundamental problem that the Cybertruck's appeal may be far more niche than initially anticipated. The real test is whether mainstream pickup truck buyers—the ones who drive Ford F-150s and Chevrolet Silverados—will embrace this design."
The Bottom Line
Elon Musk is apparently trying to address the slow demand for Cybertrucks from within his own ecosystem of companies. While this internal demand provides a temporary buffer, it does not address the core market challenges facing the Cybertruck, including its polarizing design, high initial price point, and questions about its practicality for traditional truck buyers.
It remains to be seen whether SpaceX and xAI's purchases will ease the pressure on Tesla in the long run. For now, however, the electric car company can at least breathe a momentary sigh of relief as it buys itself more time to figure out how to win over the hearts, minds, and wallets of the broader public.
What do you think? Is this a smart business move or a desperate attempt to hide weak sales? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Electrek / "Musks SpaceX and xAI are buying Teslas unsold Cybertrucks"
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