Tesla’s Most Affordable Cybertruck RWD Scrapped After Only Five Months

Tesla just quietly pulled the plug on its most affordable Cybertruck model, the rear-wheel drive (RWD) trim, after a mere five months on sale. This specific version, which carried a starting price of $69,990, has been unceremoniously removed from Tesla’s online configurator.

Now, potential Cybertruck buyers are left with pricier options: the all-wheel drive model starting at $79,990, and the top-tier Cyberbeast trim, which commands at least $114,990.

The RWD Long Range Cybertruck, launched in April, faced an uphill battle from the start. It arrived $10,000 more expensive than its initial projection. On top of the elevated price, Tesla cut several features that were once expected, including the power tonneau cover, adaptive suspension, a touchscreen for the back seats, the rear lightbar, and even outlets in the truck bed. This single-motor RWD version also offered less towing power and a lower payload capacity compared to its more robust siblings.

While Tesla hasn’t offered an official explanation for its abrupt removal, industry watchers are pointing to a broader issue of disappointing Cybertruck sales. A report from Cox Automotive, a respected source in the auto industry, indicates that Tesla sold just 4,306 Cybertrucks in the second quarter of the year. This represents a significant drop of over 50 percent in sales compared to the same period last year, suggesting that even a “more affordable” option couldn’t quite win over enough buyers.