Seven years after taking its first deposits, Tesla has told reservation holders in Australia and New Zealand that the Cybertruck will not be launched in their markets. The news was reported by InsideEVs, which cited an email sent to customers and forum posts first spotted by Electrek.
What Tesla is offering
Per InsideEVs, reservation holders get a full refund. Tesla is also offering a complimentary one-year Full Self-Driving subscription to anyone who instead reserves a new Model 3 or Model Y. The report does not say how long refunds will take or whether any conditions apply, so holders should check the email they received and contact Tesla directly if anything is unclear.
Two practical points for anyone in this position:
- Keep a copy of the cancellation email and your original reservation confirmation.
- Do not accept the Model 3 or Model Y offer without reading the terms of the Full Self-Driving subscription, including what happens after the first year.
A long wait that ended without a truck
InsideEVs notes that the Cybertruck has been open for pre-order in Australia since it was unveiled in November 2019. Tesla originally promised production in 2021, but the truck was delayed well beyond that and eventually launched in the US and a small number of other markets. The outlet says sales have been far below expectations and points to a price much higher than Tesla first promised, along with a string of quality problems and recalls.
Why export markets may have been dropped
InsideEVs offers two reasons, both presented as the author’s reading rather than a statement from Tesla. First, Australia and New Zealand have different regulatory structures from the US, which makes localising a vehicle an in-depth process. Second, both countries are buying growing numbers of Chinese EVs, which loosens Tesla’s hold. A large, expensive truck, the outlet argues, would be unlikely to change Tesla’s position in either country.
Some commentary has pointed to the truck’s size, pedestrian-safety rules or cooling needs as obstacles. None of that is confirmed by Tesla or in the source we checked, so we are not treating it as fact.
Is Europe next?
We do not know. Nothing in the reporting says Tesla is dropping other markets, and it would be speculation to predict it. What the Australia and New Zealand decision does show is that Tesla is willing to cancel a vehicle for markets where it had held deposits for years. Reservation holders elsewhere should watch for official communication rather than rumours.
The bigger picture for Tesla
InsideEVs argues that this fits a wider pattern: the Model S and Model X have ended, the Cybertruck and Roadster are niche products, and Tesla has tied its future to autonomy and the Cybercab. That is the outlet’s analysis, and readers can weigh it as such. It also suggests that Model 3 and Model Y sales will carry most of Tesla’s volume, which explains the push to move Cybertruck reservations onto them.
Home charging note for switchers
If you take the Model 3 or Model Y route, home charging is straightforward. Tesla’s cars use the NACS connector, and many home chargers either ship with a NACS plug or can be paired with an adapter for other connector types. Check the amperage your electrical panel can support before choosing a Level 2 unit, and get a licensed electrician to quote the install.
Bottom line
For Australian and New Zealand holders, the outcome is a refund and, if they want it, a nudge toward a cheaper Tesla. The truck itself is not coming. Whether the free year of Full Self-Driving is worth taking the offer for is a personal call.
Sources
- InsideEVs: Tesla Promised To Bring The Cybertruck To Australia And New Zealand. But It’s Never Coming
- Electrek: original report on the cancellation (cited by InsideEVs)
Photo: Mliu92 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0