Elon Musk kills first Tesla Cybertruck ($60k) that makes sense just 10 days after launch

Tesla just launched the most compelling version of the Cybertruck it has ever offered — a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model starting at $59,990, and CEO Elon Musk is already signaling that it won’t last.

In a post on X, Musk responded to the announcement of the new AWD Cybertruck with a cryptic but damning three words: “Only for the next 10 days.”

The comment confirms that the only Cybertruck configuration that actually makes sense for consumers is being treated as a limited-time promotion rather than a permanent addition to the lineup. It’s a baffling move for a vehicle that has failed to come anywhere close to its sales targets and desperately needs a viable entry point.

The AWD Cybertruck was the first one that made sense

As we reported yesterday, Tesla launched a new AWD Cybertruck at $59,990, the lowest price for the electric pickup truck to date. Unlike the disastrous rear-wheel-drive model that Tesla discontinued after just five months in 2025 because it had stripped out critical features like adaptive suspension, bed power outlets, and the tonneau cover, the new AWD version actually comes well-equipped.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The AWD model includes dual motors, adaptive damping, the powered tonneau cover, and bed outlets with Powershare V2X functionality.

In short, and as Jamie described in his article yesterday, the main differences are that it loses active air suspension and a bit of range, but retains most of the features that made the higher-priced AWD and Cyberbeast trims desirable.

For the first time since the Cybertruck launched in late 2023, there was a version that somewhat resembled the $39,900 truck Musk promised back in 2019, still 50% more expensive, but at least, closer to the right ballpark.

Tesla also reversed its $15,000 Cyberbeast price hike from last August, bringing the tri-motor variant back down to $99,990 from $114,990.

The problem is that Musk quickly killed the hype this morning with a post on X strongly suggesting this $59,990 price point, or the new AWD configuration entirely, is only available for approximately 10 days. Wes Morrill, a Tesla engineer, posted “All Wheel Drive Cybertruck now starting at $59,990!” and Musk quote-tweeted it with “Only for the next 10 days.”

It’s unclear what happens after those 10 days. Does the price go up? Does the AWD trim disappear entirely? Is the Cybertruck program ending? Either way, the signal is clear: Tesla is not committed to offering an affordable Cybertruck.

This follows a pattern of erratic Cybertruck pricing decisions. Tesla launched the truck at $80,000 in 2023, far above the promised $39,900. It introduced a stripped-down RWD model at $69,990 in April 2025, and killed it by September after fewer than 250 units were reportedly built. It hiked the Cyberbeast price by $15,000 last August, only to reverse the increase this week. And now, the first genuinely competitive configuration gets a 10-day expiration date.

Electrek’s Take

This is peak Cybertruck chaos. And now the question is, why?

Tesla finally, finally, launches a version of this truck that a normal person could reasonably consider buying: all-wheel drive, properly equipped, at a price that doesn’t require a second mortgage. And within hours, Musk goes on X and tells everyone it’s only available for 10 days.

We don’t know what Musk means exactly. It could be a limited-time introductory price, a flash sale gimmick to help Tesla’s numbers before the end of the quarter, or a signal that the AWD trim is about to be replaced by something else entirely. What we do know is that this kind of erratic messaging is exactly why the Cybertruck is failing. Consumers need stability and confidence when spending $60,000 on a vehicle. Instead, they get a CEO who treats pricing like a social media stunt.

This Cybertruck is extremely close to what Tesla was already building and having a hard time selling. Maybe Tesla is trying to get rid of Cybertruck parts ahead of killing the program entirely, or a major refresh to try to revive a vehicle program that’s already on life support.

The broader trajectory here is deeply concerning. Tesla is committing automotive suicide, abandoning the car business that generated $80 billion in annual revenue to chase robotaxis and humanoid robots that currently generate nothing. The Cybertruck was already a victim of this pivot, with Musk floating an “autonomous cargo delivery” future for a truck that can barely sell 5,000 units per quarter as a consumer vehicle.

If Tesla is serious about making the Cybertruck work, the $60,000 AWD model should be the permanent base configuration, not a 10-day promotion. But at this point, it’s hard to believe Tesla is serious about making the Cybertruck work at all.

In fact, if this price is only to last 10 days. It would suggest Tesla cannot make the truck profitably at that price.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Nvidia’s trillion-dollar run puts pressure on the bulls

BEIJING, CHINA – MAY 14: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (C) gestures as he prepares to depart following a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation

Permutations in Europe: What’s still at stake in final weeks of season?

There’s still plenty to play for across Europe as we head into the final matches of the club season. Here are all the title races, Champions League fights, and relegation battles left to be decided in the top leagues this month. This story will be updated until the end of the campaign. 👉 Jump to:EPL

Brewing a Better Half-Gallon Batch

Today I finally ran an experiment I’ve wanted to try for a long time. If you’re a professional barista—or you run a busy café—this may save you some time. Most coffee shops use 1–1.5 gallon batch brewers (Bunn, Curtis, Fetco, etc.). When I opened Short Sleeves Coffee, I intentionally avoided brewing full 1-gallon batches. I

5 Frozen Breakfasts Chefs Say Keep You Full All Morning

Chef-approved frozen breakfasts with more protein and better ingredients. Eating a healthy breakfast every morning is a great way to start the day, but most people don’t have time to cook. Whether you’re rushing out the door in the morning for work, taking the kids to school or both, there’s usually not much time in

CA scales back plan to ban student use of cell phones

By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Until last month, California was poised to join nearly a dozen other states that ban cell phones in K-12 schools. But under pressure from school boards and administrators, lawmakers scaled back a bill that would have required such a

BulkQuant Launches AI Trading Bot for Crypto, Forex, and Stock Markets

BulkQuant Launches AI Trading Bot for Crypto, Forex, and Stock Markets

London, United Kingdom, May 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BulkQuant has officially launched its AI trading bot platform designed for crypto, forex, and stock market traders seeking a simpler way to automate trading strategies across multiple financial markets. The platform combines AI-powered quantitative analysis, automated trade execution, portfolio monitoring, and adaptive risk management into a

IMF lauds resilient Hong Kong economy but warns of risks linked to Middle East war

IMF lauds resilient Hong Kong economy but warns of risks linked to Middle East war

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lauded the resilience of Hong Kong’s economy, noting a sustained recovery despite economic activity having yet to return to pre-Covid levels, while warning of downside risks stemming from escalating geopolitical tensions. It also urged Hong Kong to pursue medium-term financial reforms, including the introduction of a goods and services

Smithsonian Presidents Exhibit Reopens With Low-Key Trump Impeachment Mention

For the past year, the Smithsonian Institution has found itself in the awkward position of telling the nation’s story while being supported in part by a government that wants to narrow how that story is told. In December, the White House threatened to revoke funding to the institution if it did not hand over a

Marvel’s Daredevil Follow-up Is Already Dominating on Streaming

A follow-up to Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 on Disney+ has become a massive streaming success within days of its launch. The Punisher: One Last Kill has quickly climbed to the top of multiple charts, beating out other titles on the platform. The MCU television special follows the gun-toting vigilante, who finds himself targeted by

Is Now a Bad Time to Invest?

The market has been on a roll lately, with the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) setting new highs throughout May. If you think you missed your opportunity when the market bottomed in late March, don’t fret. The market hitting new all-time highs is not particularly rare and should not change your investment strategy. And if you

6 bids for Hong Kong land sale signal renewed confidence despite market caution

6 bids for Hong Kong land sale signal renewed confidence despite market caution

The Hong Kong government’s first land sale in the current financial year has drawn six bids, according to the Development Bureau, including those from the city’s largest developers, suggesting a more confident outlook for the residential property market. At the close of tender for Tung Chung Town Lot No 54 at Area 106A on Friday

Each Premier League team reranked: Man City rise; Chelsea, Liverpool collapse

Ryan O’Hanlon Close Ryan O’Hanlon ESPN.com writer Ryan O’Hanlon is a staff writer for ESPN.com. He’s also the author of “Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game’s Analytics Revolution.”  and  Bill Connelly Close Bill Connelly ESPN Staff Writer Bill Connelly is a writer for ESPN. He covers college football, soccer and tennis. He has been at

Trump departs China after two-day summit

Trump departs China after two-day summit

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Trump Wraps China Summit With Xi Jinping: What Are the Results? 05:41 Xi gives Trump rare tour of secret garden at heart of Chinese government 01:04 Now Playing Trump departs China after two-day summit 01:01 UP NEXT Special Report: Trump

Carol Chow was facing a bankruptcy petition by five people over unspecified debts at the time of her death. Photo: Dickson Lee

Embattled Hong Kong developer sued for HK$130 million, days after founder’s death

A Hong Kong property developer has been sued for HK$130 million (US$16.6 million) over allegedly breaching guarantor obligations in two bond subscription agreements, becoming the latest lawsuit to implicate the embattled company and following its founder’s sudden death earlier this week. Lofter Group, known for its urban renewal projects across the city’s core districts, and

Trump’s China visit left chip export issue unresolved

This report is from this week’s The Tech Download newsletter. Like what you see? You can subscribe here. One look at the roster of U.S. execs that cozied up to U.S. President Donald Trump on the 20+ hours flight from Alaska to China on Wednesday and you get a sense of the American delegation’s key focus

Why the Cerebras IPO matters for the AI race with China

Why the Cerebras IPO matters for the AI race with China

Cerebras, an AI chipmaker, saw its shares nearly double on Nasdaq, closing up 70% with a $95B market cap. Cerebras’s powerful chips are key in the US-China AI tech race. Chris Buskirk, co-founder and chief investment officer of 1789 Capital, a key Cerebras investor, says the company’s IPO is geopolitically significant. On Thursday, shares of

Fitbit Air vs Whoop Strap Comparison: Price, Features and AI

The Google Fitbit Air is very much the talk of the fitness tracking town right now, not only because it’s the first new Fitbit device that we’ve had in years, but it’s also one of the first big brands to go head-to-head with the established Whoop Strap (if you don’t count the Polar Loop and

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x