- Cybertruck program lead exits after eight years amid recalls, lawsuits, and slowing sales.
- Recent recall covers about 10% of Cybertrucks sold, and design flaws have sparked legal action.
- Tesla increased Cybertruck prices, paused the entry-level model, and launched overseas to counter weak U.S. demand.
- Both the Cybertruck and new Model 3 failed to achieve highest safety ratings in crash tests.
- Company focuses on Artificial Intelligence and robotics as electric vehicle sales slow.
Tesla‘s Cybertruck program leader has departed after eight years with the company. The resignation follows a period marked by safety recalls, lawsuits, and underperforming sales for the stainless-steel pickup. The executive, who began as an intern in 2017, announced the decision on X, describing it as “one of the hardest decisions” he has made.
The departure comes shortly after Tesla issued a recall on October 30, affecting approximately 6,200 Cybertrucks, or about 10% of all units sold. The recall addressed a problem with the off-road lightbar, which might become detached due to improper adhesive use, as reported by Electrek. Earlier that month, two families in the Bay Area filed lawsuits claiming Cybertruck door handles malfunctioned during a crash, allegedly contributing to three deaths. Additional owner reports of exterior damage were later traced to a manufacturing defect.
Sales data from July indicate that Cybertruck deliveries dropped to around 5,000 units per quarter, a steep decrease from initial plans to produce over 250,000 units annually. In response to declining U.S. demand, Tesla raised the price of its high-end Cyberbeast model by $15,000 and discontinued the lowest-priced Cybertruck. The company has also expanded Cybertruck sales to the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, its first two international markets for the vehicle.
Both the Cybertruck and the new Model 3 did not attain top safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety during their latest crash tests in September. Meanwhile, decreasing eligibility for electric vehicle tax credits and growing competition from companies such as Rivian and BYD have increased pressure on Tesla’s profit margins.
Tesla is shifting its focus toward new product development, including artificial intelligence-driven robotaxis and humanoid robots, as it works to address slowing vehicle sales. Despite these challenges, retail investors on Stocktwits showed a ‘bullish’ sentiment, and the company’s stock was up 6% in 2025.
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