Fact check: Sales of Cybertrucks in 2024

1. Summary of the results

Tesla sold approximately 38,965 Cybertrucks in 2024, a figure consistently reported across multiple sources ^{[1] [2]}. The quarterly breakdown shows:

• Q1 2024: 2,800 units
• Q2 2024: 8,755 units
• Q3 2024: 16,692 units (peak)
• Q4 2024: 12,991 units ^[1]

This represented less than 5% of Tesla's total sales for the year ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual factors need to be considered:

• Sales Trajectory: There's a clear downward trend after Q3 2024, with sales declining 22% from Q3 to Q4 ^[1]. This decline has continued into 2025, with Q1 2025 showing significantly lower sales of 6,400 units ^[3].
• Market Competition: The Ford F-150 Lightning has now overtaken the Cybertruck as the most popular electric pickup truck in early 2025 ^[4]. The entire electric pickup truck market remains relatively small, representing just 2.3% of the pickup truck segment ^[5].
• Inventory Issues: By May 2025, Tesla had accumulated over 10,000 unsold Cybertrucks, valued at approximately $808 million ^{[4] [6]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple sales figure alone could be misleading without considering:

• Initial Demand vs. Long-term Viability: While the Cybertruck was the best-selling electric pickup in the US in 2024 ^[1], analysts are skeptical about its long-term market potential due to:
• High pricing
• Niche appeal ^[1]
• Significant depreciation (34% in one year) ^[4]
• Data Discrepancy: There are notable differences in reported sales figures between sources, particularly for Q1 2025, with one source reporting 2,803 units ^[5] and another claiming 6,400 units ^[3]. This suggests potential variations in how sales are being counted or reported.
• Stakeholder Interests: Tesla and its shareholders benefit from positive sales narratives, while competitors like Ford benefit from highlighting the Cybertruck's declining sales and market position. The significant inventory buildup suggests that production might have outpaced actual demand ^[6].