Tesla cancels Cybertruck plans for Australia and New Zealand

Tesla has cancelled the Cybertruck launch in Australia and New Zealand. Customers who reserved one received an email on Friday saying the reservation is cancelled. Tesla says the deposit will be refunded. For some buyers, it ends a wait that began in 2019.

What changed

In the email, Tesla wrote that plans to produce the Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued. Because of that, the company said it is unable to fulfil reservations. The truck has also been removed from Tesla's Australian and New Zealand websites. Those sites now list only the Model 3, the Model Y and preorders for the Roadster.

A long wait

Drivers in both countries could preorder the Cybertruck since it was unveiled in 2019. At that time, Tesla planned to start production in late 2021. CEO Elon Musk first teased the truck in 2013. The report notes that the patient waiting by Australian and Kiwi customers has not produced the result they were promised.

Refunds and the offer

Buyers had to pay a preorder deposit of $150 in local currency. Tesla says all of these payments will be refunded. The company is also offering something to people who switch:

• Customers with cancelled preorders get a one-year subscription to Full Self-Driving (Supervised).
• The offer applies only if they buy a new Model 3 or Model Y instead.

Despite the name, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) does not let the car drive itself. It is a driver assistance feature with some automation. The driver still has to pay attention and stay in control.

How people reacted

Some enthusiasts are disappointed. Many other electric vehicle owners are glad the truck will not reach local roads. Even users of the r/TeslaAustralia subreddit have shed few tears. The Cybertruck has been widely mocked for its looks. It has also drawn negative reports on build quality, and it has been recalled several times in the U.S., where it is already on sale.

What is not known

Tesla gave no reason beyond saying it acted after careful consideration. The material does not say how soon refunds will arrive. It also does not say whether other countries are affected. Anyone holding a reservation should watch for Tesla's refund confirmation.