Tesla cancels Cybertruck for New Zealand and Australia

Tesla has cancelled plans to build the Cybertruck for New Zealand and Australia, ending reservations made nearly seven years ago. The company says affected customers will have their reservations cancelled and receive a refund.

Refunds for reservation holders

Tesla emailed reservation holders on 23 October to say its plans to produce the electric ute for both markets had been discontinued. It says refunds will be processed within 30 days after customers confirm their refund details.

Customers are also being offered a complimentary one-year subscription to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system if they order a new Model 3 or Model Y. [CHECK: Confirm the offer’s eligibility and deadline for New Zealand customers with Tesla NZ.]

The cancellation follows years of uncertainty over whether the large, left-hand-drive-only pickup would be adapted for this region. EVs and Beyond reported that Tesla’s local team had been briefed on Australian Design Rule changes involving right-hand drive, bumper widths and exterior lighting. Tesla’s cancellation email did not give a reason for the decision.

What it means for NZ ute buyers

The Cybertruck would have been a distinctive addition to New Zealand’s growing range of electrified utes. Buyers can already consider plug-in hybrid options such as the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Hi4-T, but these pair an electric drive system with a petrol engine and are not direct battery-electric equivalents.

The Cybertruck’s withdrawal leaves a gap for buyers seeking a full-electric ute with Tesla’s styling and technology. Tesla has not announced another electric pickup for New Zealand.

For reservation holders, the immediate next step is to follow Tesla’s refund instructions and check whether they qualify for the Model 3 or Model Y subscription offer.