Quick Read
- Tesla launched a new all-wheel drive (AWD) Cybertruck model at $60,000.
- The top-end Cyberbeast model’s price was cut by $15,000, now starting at $100,000.
- Cybertruck sales are significantly below projections, selling about 5,000 units per quarter versus 250,000 projected annually.
- The new AWD model includes two motors, adaptive damping, bed outlets, and 325 miles of range.
- The original 2019 promise for a base Cybertruck was $40,000; initial 2023 deliveries were $120,000.
PALO ALTO (Azat TV) – Tesla has launched a new all-wheel drive (AWD) Cybertruck model with a starting price of $60,000, simultaneously reducing the cost of its top-tier Cyberbeast variant by $15,000 to $100,000. These significant price adjustments, announced on February 19, 2026, represent a direct effort by the electric vehicle manufacturer to invigorate flagging sales and address substantial inventory of its polarizing electric pickup truck.
The move comes as the Cybertruck has consistently fallen short of its ambitious sales targets since its eventual market debut in 2023. Tesla has been selling approximately 5,000 Cybertrucks per quarter, a pace that is less than 10% of the initial projection of over 250,000 units annually, according to Electrek. This latest strategy marks a shift towards more conventional pricing tactics after various other attempts to boost sales, including opening new sales territories and proposing unconventional uses for the vehicle.
Cybertruck Pricing History and New AWD Features
When the Cybertruck was first unveiled in 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised an introductory price of $40,000. However, initial deliveries in 2023 were exclusively for a ‘Foundation Series’ model, priced at $120,000. Subsequently, a rear-wheel drive (RWD) model was introduced at $70,000 but was later canceled due to poor sales performance.
The newly introduced $60,000 AWD Cybertruck is now the lowest-priced variant to date and comes equipped with more features than its short-lived RWD predecessor. While it foregoes adaptive air suspension, it includes adaptive damping, bed outlets, and Powershare V2X functionality, along with a tonneau cover. Crucially, it features two motors (front and rear), offering an estimated 325 miles of range, a slight reduction from the former RWD model’s 350-mile estimate. The price reduction for the Cyberbeast model reverses a previous $15,000 price hike from August, bringing it back to its earlier pricing.
Sales Struggles Amidst Broader Challenges for Tesla
Tesla’s aggressive pricing adjustments for the Cybertruck underscore the ongoing challenges the company faces in moving the distinctive vehicle from its inventory. Despite the new, more competitive pricing and enhanced features, the question remains whether these changes will be sufficient to significantly boost sales. Analysts have pointed out that the Cybertruck, unlike more conventional Tesla models such as the Model 3 and Model Y, is a ‘statement vehicle’ whose appeal is heavily influenced by brand perception.
Electrek notes that a significant factor potentially hindering Cybertruck sales, and Tesla’s overall reputation, is the controversial public behavior and political activities of CEO Elon Musk. His statements and associations have reportedly alienated a segment of potential buyers, leading to plummeting reputation scores for the company. While buyers of standard Tesla vehicles might rationalize their purchase, the highly visible nature of the Cybertruck makes it more susceptible to these external perceptions, as owners are often seen as making a direct statement by driving the vehicle.
The introduction of a more accessible AWD Cybertruck model and a significant price cut for the Cyberbeast suggest Tesla is actively responding to market feedback and sales difficulties. However, the long-term success of these pricing strategies may ultimately depend on overcoming broader brand perception challenges linked to the company’s leadership.