The Cybertruck's 'cause of death?' Insufficient demand

One of the most polarizing vehicles on the road will soon be history. Elon Musk says Tesla will wind down manufacturing of its Cybertruck at the company's gigafactory in Texas mid next year.

The truck's embarrassing unveiling in 2019 may have been somewhat prophetic. Musk had a metal ball thrown at the truck's window to demonstrate its, quote, "armor glass."

The window shattered. So they tried another one. Same result.

Patrick George covers the auto industry for the Wall Street Journal. He notes that the Cybertruck's demise is tied to several factors, including its deeply hit-or-miss design. It is a very big, angular, imposing, kind of brutal looking thing, and people really love it or hate it.

Musk says the design was inspired in part by the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me," specifically by a sleek roadster nicknamed Wet Nellie that plunged into the water and transformed into a submarine.

Patrick George says the truck also suffered a string of recalls and manufacturing issues. He also pointed out the Cybertruck's unique image problem as it became tied to Elon Musk's shift into right-wing politics. In the end, it seems like the Cybertruck's cause of death was insufficient demand. It just had not been selling very well.

Cody and Michelle Abner, outside Fort Worth, Texas, already own one Cybertruck. Cody Abner said he considered getting another order, while Michelle Abner noted that they now have a collector's item. She remarked that while she still thinks it looks like a dumpster, they like to be different and that driving a green Cybertruck makes people remember you.