The Cybertruck era was fun while it lasted. After years of being the butt of jokes for its PlayStation-style design and questionable off-road performance, though there are those who tried to maximize its potential in the latter, Elon Musk announced Thursday night that production will cease in mid-2027.

“Tesla will be winding down production of the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas around the middle of next year to make room for increased Cybercab production,” Musk tweeted (mirror).

Since its release in 2023, the Cybertruck has proven to be… unpopular, to say the least. Several concerns about its qualtiy and safety as well as the appearance quickly earned it a section on Wikipedia’s list of automobiles notable for negative reception. Sales have also been lukewarm, only accelerating Tesla’s decision to sunset it in favor of the Cybercab.

Tesla even produced a Cyberquad to go along with the truck, but it was never released outside of a kids model.

Given Musk’s optimism about the Cybertruck’s off-road capabilities during the 2019 reveal, there was going to be speculation on whether someone would beef it up for racing. Musk proclaimed he wanted it to “kick butt in Baja”, while Mint 400 organizer Matt Martelli encouraged him to bring one to his race instead.

Sure enough, someone did. Chewy Barrientos of Kilowatt Customs worked with The Baja Shop to modify a Cybertruck for March’s Mint 400 Limited Race. The exterior and shocks were stock while the interior included several performance upgrades. However, the truck was forced to retire when a spindle bolt in the lift kit snapped, triggering a chain reaction that damaged the rest of the suspension.

Barrientos said after the DNF that he wanted to try again in 2027. Even with the discontinuation looming, that will likely remain the plan barring a change. Given production is stopping in the middle of the year while the 2027 Mint is on March 3–7, it obviously won’t be eligible for the Vintage categories.

At least Barrientos was able to get a Cybertruck in racing shape, even if it didn’t work out.

Dakar Rally director David Castera said in December 2024 that Tesla had shown interest in fielding the Cybertruck at the 2026 edition, competing in Mission 1000 for alternatively-powered vehicles. That rally came and went without a Cybertruck.

Featured image credit: Justin Nguyen