The polarizing EV pickup’s popularity has been called into question since its launch two years ago.
As electric pickup trucks go, the Tesla Cybertruck does a lot of things right, but it nevertheless remains controversial due to its unconventional styling. (Elon Musk’s various controversis haven’t helped, either.) Now a report from Bloomberg seems to indicate the truck’s sales numbers may be goosed, as it says 20 percent of all Cybertrucks are registered under non-Tesla companies owned by Elon Musk.
The story goes into some detail. Among 7,071 Tesla Cybertrucks sold in Q4 2025, it says, 1,279 were sold to SpaceX, xAI, The Boring Company, or Neuralink, with the vast majority going to Musk’s aerospace company. That’s a bit over 18 percent of all sales, and the report also states the trend has continued into Q1 of this year. It further points out that if you remove these trucks from the model’s overall volumes, “Cybertruck registrations in the fourth quarter would have fallen 51 percent.”
Tesla has faced declining sales in the past year due to increased quality competition in key markets such as the U.S. and China, as well as Musk’s political maneuverings. Tesla’s board nevertheless awarded Musk a pay package late last year that would make him a trillionaire if certain milestones are met, such as delivering 20 million vehicles and 1 million robotaxis. With Cybertruck sales slumping, the Model S and Model X being discontinued, and the Roadster still delayed, the company faces headwinds. But there are rumblings the company’s inexpensive, sub–Model 3 EV may be back on the table and a rumored “cooler” than a minivan vehicle could help turn things around.
Stay Ahead of the Curve.
Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox!
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he’s had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like).
Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He’s best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
Read More