Tesla has quietly pulled its cheapest Cybertruck from the online configurator, leaving only the mid-level All-Wheel Drive and top-shelf Cyberbeast variants on offer. The move, first reported by outlets that track EV pricing and availability such as Electrek and Engadget, raises fresh concerns about Tesla’s trim strategy and production priorities for its stainless-steel pickup.
What disappeared—and what remains
That’s the now-missing entry option, a rear-wheel-drive Long Range version that debuted in April at a starting price of $69,990. It was the price leader but stripped of some of the features offered on higher trims, including an active suspension and a rear-seat touchscreen that is present elsewhere in the lineup.
Today, the only configurations shown on Tesla’s site are the All-Wheel Drive for a minimum price of $72,490 and the Cyberbeast for an entry-level price of $114,990. Most recently, the top trim saw a price stair-step up due to an obligatory Luxe Package that packaged FSD capability, four years of premium service plan, unlimited Supercharging and premium connectivity—also more footering around by another name-sorta concentrating the lineup at higher prices.
A familiar Tesla playbook
It’s not beyond Tesla to retire or hide a base trim. The company has cycled lower-priced variants of its offerings on and off the site before — like screenshot-only Model 3 “off-menu” configuration options, or previous battery-limited Model S trims — as it managed demand, margins and manufacturing complexity.
There are, of course, practical reasons that a production version of the entry Cybertruck might be shelved — or at least held off until later. Initial production runs of new Tesla vehicles tend to be slanted toward higher-margin builds while factories ramp. This way assembly is easier, rare components are as concentrated as possible and sourcing them isn’t a bottleneck, unit economics can be better (especially in what could be more of a pilot phase, considering new items such as the 4680 battery format and the brand-new manufacturing process for Cybertruck’s unique exoskeleton) when you scale.
There’s also cannibalization to consider. With the Long Range going for just a few thousand dollars less than the All-Wheel Drive, many buyers would be likely to stretch for the extra tractions and features, unmaking the case for a stripped-down version that is tougher to build profitably.
What this means for reservation holders
Now that effective entry price has risen for shoppers who were looking at the least expensive option. If you’ve already placed a reservation wanting the Long Range RWD, it’s worth watching for direct communication from Tesla; in the past, the automaker has provided substitutions swapped delivery estimates or reintroduced trims once production gets sorted.
Price and feature volatility is a part of Tesla’s model. Until a VIN is assigned the options listed are not in stone and can change, and/or installation options could differ. Future buyers must check eligibility for the myriad of federal and state incentives including read all about it in the fine print regarding bundled software and services that determine total cost of ownership.
The bigger EV truck picture
More-affordable electric pickups have been in short supply across the industry. Ford has changed the F-150 Lightning price and availability frequently, often with the work-oriented Pro trim restricted. While Rivian has highlighted higher-spec R1T builds as it is managing its own production pace. In that sense, Tesla doubling down on higher-end Cybertruck configs is representative of a broader market trend: lead with the margin-rich trims while supply chains and factories coalesce.
For Tesla, the math is simple. Maintaining appropriate demand for what the factory can efficiently produce (at a reasonable margin) matters more than making a headline-grabbing base price offer. Historically, if throughput rises and benefits from design and supplier learning start to be realized, the company might re-visit with its entry model.
Bottom line: The lowest-cost Cybertruck just got a whole lot cheaper—so cheap it disappeared. For the moment, buyers are getting steered toward the All-Wheel Drive and deluxe Cyberbeast, an indication of where Tesla thinks the sweet spot will be while production of the truck ramps up.