In a bizarre twist, the Ford F-150 Lightning outsold the Tesla Cybertruck in 2025 despite Ford canceling the program. Ford delivered roughly 27,300 Lightnings in the US, while Tesla struggled to move an estimated 21,500 Cybertrucks globally. Even as a lame-duck product facing retirement, the Lightning beat Tesla's controversial truck in the marketplace.

Tesla's sales figures require estimation because the company refuses to break out Cybertruck numbers, bundling them into a vague "Other Models" category. By subtracting known Model S and X sales, analysts estimate only about 5,600 Cybertrucks moved last quarter. Production reportedly sits at just 10% of capacity, a disaster for a vehicle meant to revolutionize the pickup segment.

Despite aggressive moves like price cuts and a cheap trim that was quickly canceled, Cybertruck momentum has stalled. Tesla even resorted to having SpaceX buy over 1,000 units to prop up numbers. Meanwhile, Ford's decision to pivot to extended-range electric vehicles looks shrewd, proving that even a dying model can outperform a hyped competitor.

The Cybertruck program now faces an uncertain future. Most automakers would likely kill a vehicle selling this poorly, but Elon Musk's ego makes that difficult. The truck has failed to find its audience, leaving Tesla with a costly, niche product that alienates traditional truck buyers while failing to generate mass appeal.