Tesla turns to interest-free loans as Cybertruck inventory piles up

06 June 2025

Tesla is shifting the sales strategy for its polarizing Cybertruck, and has rolled out a zero percent financing offer for the electric pickup. The offer, valid through the end of June, is the final proof the electric car giant is facing huge challenges in moving the stainless-steel vehicle - a stark contrast to the initial frenzy that reportedly saw over a million reservations.

When the Cybertruck first broke cover in 2019, its radical, low-polygon design and ambitious promises of performance and utility captured global attention. Tesla initially promised a starting price of $39,900 for a rear-wheel-drive model with a claimed range of over 250 miles. The top-tier Tri-Motor variant was promised to boast a range of over 500 miles and a staggering 14,000 lb towing capacity. Unfortunately, the vehicle that finally entered production in late 2023 was a different beast with a much higher price tag, and much lower range.

The production Cybertruck arrived with prices that were, in some cases, more than 50% higher than initially promised. The base Rear-Wheel Drive model, still waiting to be released later this year, starts at $60,990. The currently available All-Wheel Drive model is priced at $79,990, and the top-of-the-line "Cyberbeast" commands a price of $99,990.

Alongside the price hikes, key specifications were dialed back. The All-Wheel Drive model offers an estimated range of 340 miles, a big reduction from the initial top-tier promises, and its towing capacity is now rated at 11,000 lb. The truck's dimensions are substantial, measuring 223.7 inches in length, 80 inches in width with mirrors folded, and 70.7 inches in height.

Despite initial plans for a production capacity of 250,000 units annually at its Gigafactory in Texas, Tesla has struggled to sell a fraction of that number. In its first year, around 40,000 units were delivered. Recent reports and Tesla's own Q1 2025 figures suggest the delivery rate has declined even further since.

The company groups Cybertruck deliveries with its Model S and Model X, and the combined "Other Models" category saw only 12,881 deliveries in the first quarter of 2025. This slowdown has led to a growing pile-up of unsold inventory. Recent tracking data indicates that over 3,700 Cybertrucks, valued at more than $300 million, are currently sitting in inventory across the United States.

To boost sales, Tesla's latest incentive is a 0% APR loan, but with a condition: customers must also purchase the $8,000 Full Self-Driving package. While named "Full Self-Driving," the system is officially classified as "Supervised." It offers features like Autosteer on city streets and Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control, but it does not make the vehicle autonomous. Tesla explicitly states that the driver must remain fully attentive and prepared to take over at any moment.

The Cybertruck is sold only in North America, with no immediate plans for a wider global release due to regulatory hurdles and the vehicle's design, which may not comply with safety standards in other regions. This limited market, combined with its high price point and polarizing design, appears to be limiting its sales potential. The end-of-quarter financing push is a desperate attempt to reduce the growing inventory and boost sales for a vehicle that, after a long and over-hyped marketing campaign, is quickly turning into a failure.

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