Tesla halts Australian Cybertruck plans, refunds deposits after seven-year wait

Elon Musk's EV company offers 12-month FSD subscription as compensation for customers switching to other models

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time1 min

Tesla has confirmed it will not produce a right-hand-drive version of the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand, ending a wait that began with deposits in 2019. In an email to customers reported by news.com.au, the company said plans had been discontinued, with deposits to be refunded within 30 days. Customers who instead buy a Model 3 or Model Y will receive a complimentary 12-month Full Self-Driving subscription.

The decision follows years of delays and a series of safety recalls in the United States, where Cybertruck sales have fallen 28% over the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to Cox Automotive estimates. US owners faced recalls over accelerator pedal issues, drive inverters, detachable exterior trim and brake rotor problems.

In Australia, Tesla's overall deliveries rebounded 84.1% year-on-year to 41,705 in the first nine months of 2026, driven by the Model Y. However, Chinese-owned brands, including BYD, Polestar and Volvo, outsold Tesla more than twofold with a combined 107,050 deliveries. BYD alone beat Tesla by 7.1%.

The cancellation also casts doubt on Tesla's promise of a Roadster by 2028, which would be eight years late since its original unveiling in 2017.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Australian customers who waited seven years for a Cybertruck will now need to explore other options, potentially benefiting competitors like BYD.
Tesla's decision highlights the growing dominance of Chinese EV manufacturers in the Australian market.
The repeated delays and recalls raise questions about Tesla's product development and launch strategy.

Background

The Cybertruck was unveiled by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in 2019 with a distinctive angular design and claims of unbreakable windows, which were immediately disproven during the launch demonstration. Tesla accepted $150 deposits in Australia soon after, but production for right-hand-drive markets was repeatedly delayed. Meanwhile, Tesla has faced multiple safety recalls in the US, including problems with accelerator pedals and exterior trim. The company is still promising the Roadster, first shown in 2017, with a tentative 2028 date.

Key Perspectives

Tesla: In a statement to customers, the company cited careful consideration and said plans for Australia and New Zealand had been discontinued, offering refunds and a FSD subscription as compensation. Competitors: Chinese brands like BYD have surged ahead in the Australian market, capitalising on Tesla's delays and product issues. Critics: The Cybertruck's safety record in the US, including recalls for multiple serious defects, suggests the vehicle was not ready for mass production or export markets.

What to Watch

Whether Tesla can deliver the Roadster by its 2028 target after almost a decade of delays.
Australian Tesla sales relative to Chinese brands in the coming months.
Any further cancellations of Cybertruck plans in other international markets.

Sources

What the truck, Musk? Tesla finally abandons plans to launch its cyber ute in Australia · Startup Daily

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedTesla halted its plans to bring the Cybertruck to Australia.Startup Daily: “canning plans to bring a right-hand-drive version to Australia.”
Partly supportedTesla refunds deposits after a seven-year wait.Startup Daily: “Deposits, believed to be in the thousands, will refunded in 30 days.”
Partly supportedCustomers switching to other Tesla models are offered a complimentary 12-month FSD subscription as compensation.Startup Daily: “Tesla is offering a complimentary 12-month Full Self-Driving (Supervised) subscription as compensation for anyone who buys a Model 3 or Model Y instead.”
SupportedTesla confirmed it will not produce a right-hand-drive Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand.Startup Daily: ““After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued.””
Partly supportedTesla’s customer email said both that the plans were discontinued and that deposits would be refunded within 30 days.Startup Daily: “In an email sent to customers today, reported by news.com.au, Tesla said: “After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued.” Deposits, believed to be in the thousands, will refunded in 30 days.”
SupportedCybertruck sales in the US fell 28% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to Cox Automotive estimates.Startup Daily: “Sales for the first nine months of 2026 totalled 11,586, down 28%.”
SupportedUS Cybertruck owners faced recalls involving accelerator pedals, drive inverters, detachable exterior trim and brake rotors.Startup Daily: “US owners have also faced repeated safety recalls. Who can forget 2024’s Cybertruck recall because accelerator pedal pads would come loose and trap the pedal. Another recall addressed drive inverters that could cause a sudden loss of propulsion.”
SupportedTesla’s Australian deliveries rose 84.1% year on year to 41,705 in the first nine months of 2026, with the Model Y driving the recovery.Startup Daily: “Tesla deliveries rebounded 84.1% year-on-year to 41,705 in the first nine months of 2026. The Model Y drove the recovery”
SupportedChinese-owned brands including BYD, Polestar and Volvo had combined deliveries of 107,050, more than double Tesla’s.Startup Daily: “the combined sales total for all Chinese-owned brands, which includes Polestar and Volvo, is more than double Tesla’s at 107,050 for the first nine months of the year.”
SupportedBYD alone outsold Tesla by 7.1%.Startup Daily: “Yet BYD alone outsold Tesla by 7.1%”
Not in the sourcesThe Cybertruck cancellation casts doubt on Tesla’s Roadster promise.Startup Daily
Partly supportedThe Roadster would be eight years late relative to its original unveiling in 2017.Startup Daily: “Roadster – unveiled in 2017 for a promised 2020 delivery”