Tesla pays two million Australians and New Zealanders after scrapping Cybertruck plans

Tesla has cancelled all Cybertruck reservations in Australia and New Zealand, ending a seven-year wait for local buyers.

Customers began receiving emails on October 23 stating their orders are void. The company will return all paid deposits within 30 days. Those who switch to a new Model 3 or Model Y receive a free one-year subscription to Full Self-Driving (Supervised).

Australians could place a A$150 deposit starting in November 2019. By 2023, tracking data indicated roughly 2 million total reservations. A 2020 survey placed Australia third in global interest, behind the United States and Canada, though Tesla never confirmed these regional figures.

The primary obstacle is the vehicle’s left-hand-drive configuration. Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Japan require right-hand-drive vehicles. Tesla’s limited international rollout so far includes South Korea, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Israel, all of which drive on the right. The truck remains blocked in the EU over pedestrian safety concerns.

Elon Musk told shareholders in 2024 that the company might certify the truck for other markets the following year. No right-hand-drive version followed. Tesla quietly closed the Australian reservation page in May 2022, replacing it with a 'Get updates' button, but did not issue refunds at that time.

US demand has also cooled. Tesla delivered 8,295 'Other Models' in the third quarter of 2026, a category now dominated by the Cybertruck since Model S and Model X production ended. Estimates place annual Cybertruck sales at roughly 30,000 units, against a production capacity of 250,000. US sales fell from about 39,000 in 2024.

The email to customers stated: 'After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued.' Tesla added that it is 'unable to fulfil your reservation and it will be cancelled.'