Tesla 1Q Earnings Beat Estimates Sending Share Higher

Tesla has been running a full three‑ring circus for years — and the Cybertruck alone could fill the tent. Let’s start with the fact that Tesla hyped over 1 million Cybertruck reservations, yet U.S. sales have been a disaster: just ~52,000 units sold according to Cox Automotive, a tiny fraction of what was promised. Even worse, some reports show only ~20,000 sold in the U.S. last year, a 68% year‑over‑year collapse.

And the quality? Oh, spectacular — if you enjoy performance art. We’re talking 10 recalls, falling body panels, accelerator pedals that get stuck at full throttle, and a windshield wiper the size of a canoe paddle that still can’t do its job.

Battery issues? Absolutely. Real‑world range has consistently fallen short of Tesla’s marketing claims, and Cybertruck buyers have been especially vocal about disappointing range and towing performance. And yes — opening a high‑voltage battery pack is a “nope” even for engineers. That’s not maintenance; that’s a side quest in a video game where the reward is electrocution.

Now let’s talk about the FSD promise, the biggest magic trick of all. Tesla sold the dream of Full Self‑Driving to millions of buyers, but the Cybertruck still can’t even run the same FSD features as the rest of the fleet. It’s missing Summon, Start‑from‑Park, and basic reverse/drive transitions under FSD. Tesla’s own AI director admitted the Cybertruck needs special retraining because its steering system is so different. Translation: “We promised it, but… oops.”

And the delays? Legendary.

Cybertruck: promised in 2019, delivered years late — and still unfinished.

Roadster: took deposits, still missing in action.

FSD: promised since 2016, still not delivered as advertised.

Meanwhile, Tesla once claimed it would sell 250,000 Cybertrucks per year. Reality? 40,000 units in 2024 — not even one‑fifth of the target.

And the funniest part? When demand tanked, SpaceX and xAI started buying Cybertrucks just to soak up inventory. When your own companies have to buy your unsold cars, that’s not innovation — that’s a clearance sale with extra steps.

So yes, calling Tesla “armed robbery” might be dramatic, but calling the situation normal would be delusional. If any other automaker delivered this many broken promises, recalls, and missed targets, they’d be buried next to Blockbuster. Instead, Tesla is still valued higher than Ford, Toyota, and BMW combined — which might be the greatest comedy of all.