Analyst Blasts Tesla Cybertruck Saying, “The Lust Has Faded For This Controversial Truck. Ford F-150 Lightning Sans the Showboating Styling and Questionable Quality of the CT”

The Tesla Cybertruck has lost its number one position as America's best-selling electric truck. Is the CT on the way out? 

According to a report from Automotive News (by subscription), the Tesla Cybertruck has been overtaken by the Ford F-150 Lightning. 

Automotive News says, "Tesla's wildly styled, politically polarizing Cybertruck has fallen on hard times, with the Ford F-150 Lightning posting more U.S. registrations in March and the first quarter to retake the electric vehicle pickup crown."

According to its most recent data, S&P Global Mobility says the Cybertruck had 2,170 registrations in March, more than 400 short of the Lightning's 2,598 registrations. 

The data showed that in the first quarter of 2025, the Cybertruck managed 7,126 registrations, compared to the Lightning's 7,913. Tesla doesn't report sales by country or model, so U.S. registration data from S&P Global Mobility is a proxy.

Automotive News suggests that the Cybertruck's struggle to compete with traditional pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning is not surprising to industry analysts. The truck's high price, unconventional design, and the controversial political stance of its CEO, Elon Musk, are cited as key factors influencing its market performance.

Now, Robby DeGraff, an analyst at AutoPacific, blasts Tesla's Cybertruck.

He says, "The Cybertruck is an easy target, caught in the chaos of Elon Musk's childish, irrational, and reckless political behavior. As a result, the lust has faded for this already controversial truck."

He sings the praises of the Ford F-150 Lightning.

"The F-150 Lightning, on the other hand, continues to reward EV buyers who desire a pickup truck with emissions-less practicality and durability — sans the negative association, showboat styling, and questionable quality" of the Tesla CT, DeGraff said.

What Are Cybertruck Owners Saying?

Despite the negative feedback, Cybertruck owners remain steadfast in supporting the vehicle. The report from Automotive News highlights that 86 percent of Cybertruck Owners Club members expressed their willingness to purchase the pickup again in an informal poll in May, praising its technical prowess and driving experience.

Cybertruck Owners Club with the username, Tony, says, "If one can put up with the thumbs down and the middle fingers, it is a fantastic vehicle to own. I've not gone on second dates because they discovered I have a [Cybertruck]. Everything has become political."

FuturePrimitive, who lives in San Francisco, said, "There's nothing else like it, and so many positives. It's like buying the future. The political stuff will blow over."

A report from New Atlas reports that Tesla has $200 million worth of Cybertrucks in stock in the U.S. that are waiting to be sold. The report says, "Which translates to around 2,400 Cybertrucks – as the company is having trouble moving units."

"This has caused Tesla to scale down production to control the growing inventory," New Atlas says.

Back To Tesla Cybertruck Owners

Addam Kuzman, who owns Dry Tech, a basement waterproofing and foundation repair company, on the Cybertruck Owners Facebook page says, "I didn't buy my Cybertruck for show." He then shows a picture of his Cybertruck pulling a backhoe on a trailer, a large travel trailer, and his Cybertruck's pickup bed loaded with landscaping materials. 

Another Cybertruck Owner’s Facebook page contributor, Marcus Reno, says, "I wouldn't take one if you gave it to me. That's the latest headline from the leftover haters still clinging to the only thing they have left, wild hypotheticals." 

"After over a year of debunked myths and fact-checking flameouts, they've run out of ammo. So now? They shout things you can't prove or disprove."

• "I wouldn't be caught dead in one."
• "It's not even a real truck."
• "If Tesla gave me one, I'd throw it back."

But here's the twist.

Marcus says, "Give it five years—maybe less—and some of the loudest critics will be sliding behind the wheel of one. Quietly. No social media announcement. Just a used model parked in the driveway and a sudden change of tone."

"They won't bring up the memes. They won't mention the hate. And they definitely won't admit they once swore they'd never sit behind that yoke."

"Mockery doesn't last long when the product proves itself. It fades. It always does."

The Story Isn’t Finished

There are currently 2,439 Tesla Cybertrucks sitting in inventory waiting to be sold. Here is data from the Ford F-150 Lightning that analyst Robby DeGraff says is doing so well now.

Here's what we know:

• Ford has paused production of the F-150 Lightning from November 2024 to January 2025. 
• Some dealers reported slower sales and rising inventory. 
• Because of slow F-150 Lightning sales, the 2025 base price is now lower than the 2024 model's MSRP. 
• Ford has been subsidizing sales of the F-150 Lightning, offering dealers incentives to purchase the vehicle. Check out my report here for more information.

Conclusion

As someone in the auto industry for over 30 years, I've seen many vehicles come and go. One bad month or slow quarter does not mean the Tesla Cybertruck is in trouble and will not recover from the latest negative news cycle. 

Don't count the Tesla Cybertruck out just yet. One bad quarter does not make for a significant shift in the EV truck market. Stay tuned. 

How About You?

What's your take on the Tesla Cybertruck? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and join the conversation about this controversial yet intriguing vehicle.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: My Tesla Cybertruck Just Drove Itself Back To the Dealer Because of the Heavy Debt I Owe, Come Back Cybertruck

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Addam Kuzman