Tesla Scraps Australian Cybertruck Plans, Citing Production Challenges
The electric vehicle maker informed Australian and New Zealand reservation holders that the futuristic truck will not be sold in those markets.
Elon Musk's Tesla has discontinued plans to sell its Cybertruck in Australia and New Zealand, according to an email sent to customers who had placed deposits for the vehicle. The company confirmed Friday that all reservations would be canceled and deposits refunded.
Many prospective buyers had placed their $150 (AUD) refundable deposits as early as 2019, shortly after the Cybertruck's initial unveiling. The decision has led to frustration among those who had waited years for the vehicle.
Tesla stopped accepting Cybertruck reservations through its Australian website in 2022, which had already raised questions about the truck's future availability in the region. The company has not provided a specific reason for abandoning its plans for these markets.
Industry observers suggest that the Cybertruck's price point and the potential challenges in meeting local vehicle safety and regulatory standards may have contributed to the decision. In the United States, the entry-level Cybertruck is priced at approximately $75,000 USD, which would translate to a significantly higher cost in Australia after factoring in shipping, import duties, taxes, and potential right-hand-drive conversions.
To compensate some reservation holders, Tesla offered a complimentary 12-month Full Self-Driving subscription if they purchased a new Model 3 or Model Y. However, this offer excluded customers who had already acquired another Tesla vehicle.
