Tesla Ditches Most Affordable Cybertruck Option After Just Five Months

Tesla's Most Affordable Cybertruck Option Scrapped After Five Months In a move that has left industry observers scratching their heads, Tesla has unceremoniously removed the rear-wheel drive (RWD) trim of its Cybertruck from online sales just five months after its launch. The Long Range model, which was touted as the most affordable option with a starting price of $69,990, is no longer available for purchase. According to sources, the RWD version of the Cybertruck was removed due to low sales numbers and an elevated price tag that made it less competitive in the market. Tesla launched the Long Range model in April, but its price increase of $10,000 more than originally expected may have been a major factor in its demise. "We were expecting the Long Range model to be a game-changer for Tesla's sales," said Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. "However, it appears that the company has decided to focus on higher-end trims and abandon the more affordable option." The RWD version of the Cybertruck came with several compromises compared to its all-wheel drive (AWD) counterpart, including a lower towing capacity, reduced payload capacity, and fewer features such as adaptive suspension and a power tonneau cover. Tesla's decision to scrap the Long Range model comes at an inopportune time for electric vehicle buyers in the US. The federal tax credit for EV purchases is set to expire at the end of the month, making the purchase of a Cybertruck even less attractive. The move has sparked concerns among industry experts about Tesla's sales strategy and its ability to compete with other luxury electric vehicles on the market. "It's clear that Tesla needs to rethink its pricing strategy and offer more competitive options for consumers," said Ives. "If they don't, they risk losing market share to other players in the EV space." Tesla has not officially commented on the removal of the Long Range model from its website, but it is likely that the company will continue to focus on higher-end trims such as the AWD and Cyberbeast models. As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Tesla's decision to scrap the Long Range model of the Cybertruck has sent shockwaves through the industry. *Reporting by Engadget.*