Elon Musk Says Tesla's Cybertruck Backlog Is Too Big To Clear Before Production Ends — Orders Extra Shift

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) will add an extra production shift to finish outstanding Cybertruck orders before it dismantles the line next year.

On Saturday, CEO Elon Musk said in a post on X that the backlog is "far more than Tesla can make" before the line comes down around June or July next year. "We will add an extra shift to try to get all orders done in time."

The Tesla Cybertruck order backlog is currently far more than we can make before dismantling the line for Cybercab expansion around June/July next year.

We will add an extra shift to try to get all orders done in time.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 7, 2026

Cybercab Takes Priority in Tesla’s AI Pivot

Musk said a day earlier that Tesla would wind down Cybertruck production at its Texas factory and shift resources toward the Cybercab, a two-seat robotaxi, according to Reuters.

The Cybercab plays a key role in Musk’s plan to transform Tesla from an automaker into a company focused on AI and robotics.

Musk’s latest comments follow criticism from investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, who called the wind-down "another failure" in a post on X. Fellow investor Gary Black wrote on X that Tesla missed an opportunity by not building a more conventional-looking pickup.

Cybertruck Sales Run Far Below Musk’s Target

The Cybertruck began reaching customers in late 2023 but has struggled to meet Musk’s early expectations.

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Tesla’s "other models" category, which includes the Cybertruck, totaled 8,295 deliveries in the third quarter, according to a Benzinga analysis of the company’s data. That is the most Cybertrucks Tesla could have sold in the period.

The figure implies annualized sales of 28,000 to 32,000 units. At the high end, that is about 13% of Musk’s 250,000 annual goal.

The stainless steel pickup has also faced repeated recalls and quality concerns since launch. Its unconventional design limited prospects in overseas markets, including Europe.

The Texas-based automobile and energy technology company has a market capitalization of about $1.42 trillion. Over the past 52 weeks, its stock has traded as high as $498.83 and as low as $297.38.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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