Tesla's $59,990 Cybertruck AWD Enters Production as Delivery Wait Stretches Into 2027
5 min read read
Drone footage captured over Giga Texas on May 11, 2026 showed what appears to be the beginning of series production for Tesla's new Dual Motor AWD Cybertruck — the $59,990 variant announced in February that sits between the discontinued rear-wheel-drive entry model and the premium AWD configuration. Three vehicles were visible in the factory staging area; fleet observer Joe Tegtmeyer noted that "production of the $59K AWD Cybertruck may be just getting started here." Tesla has not made a formal production announcement.
The timing matters because initial delivery estimates for the AWD variant have already shifted. Early reservation holders who expected delivery in June 2026 are now seeing September or October 2026 estimates. Orders placed after the initial wave are showing April 2027 windows. That kind of slippage, this early in the production cycle, indicates demand is running ahead of Tesla's current manufacturing rate — a reversal from the Cybertruck's difficult 2025.
How the AWD Fits Into Cybertruck's Lineup Reset
On February 19, 2026, Tesla restructured the Cybertruck lineup in two significant ways. The company launched the new Dual Motor AWD at $59,990 — below the previous entry-level price — while simultaneously cutting $15,000 from the top-spec Cyberbeast, which now starts at $99,990. The mid-tier Premium AWD model retained its position at $79,990.
The $59,990 price point matters because it brings the Cybertruck closer to the territory where the federal EV tax credit — currently $7,500 for qualifying buyers — has a meaningful impact on effective purchase price. At $52,490 after credit for eligible buyers, the AWD Cybertruck competes more directly with full-size pickup trucks from Ford and GM that have also benefited from the credit.
| Variant | MSRP | Drive | After $7,500 Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Motor AWD (new) | $59,990 | AWD | $52,490 |
| Premium AWD | $79,990 | AWD | $72,490 |
| Cyberbeast | $99,990 | Tri-Motor | $92,490 |
The 2025 Sales Collapse That Preceded This
The urgency behind the lineup reset is understandable given what happened in 2025. Cybertruck sales fell 48.1% to 20,237 units — a steep decline from 38,965 in 2024, which was itself a product of constrained supply rather than peak demand. By 2025, supply constraints had eased but consumer interest had not kept pace with available inventory.
The sales data revealed other complications. Registration records showed that 1,279 Cybertrucks were purchased by SpaceX, with additional units going to xAI, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. Related-party purchases accounted for a meaningful share of total volume — not unusual for a new product but notable when included in reported delivery figures.
"Tesla sold only 173 RWD Cybertrucks in two years, then had to recall them over wheel separation risk. The $60K AWD is a more serious commercial attempt." — CleanTechnica analysis, May 12, 2026
The rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck, which Tesla introduced as an entry-level option, sold just 173 units over its entire production run before being recalled due to a risk of wheels separating from the vehicle. The recall affected all 173 vehicles. The RWD's commercial failure was one factor that pushed Tesla to pursue the dual-motor AWD at a lower price point rather than refining the single-motor variant.
What Production Evidence Actually Shows
The drone footage approach to tracking Cybertruck production has become a reliable external indicator because Tesla does not publish model-level production breakdowns. Vehicles staged near the Giga Texas delivery lot after leaving the production floor are visible from airspace above the facility, giving fleet watchers a near-real-time view of output.
The challenge with the AWD variant is visual identification. The Dual Motor AWD uses the same exterior body panels as the Premium AWD and Cyberbeast, making it difficult to distinguish specific models from above without VIN-level data. Tegtmeyer's assessment that the $59K AWD "may be just getting started" is based on production timing context and batch size rather than a definitive visual marker. Factoring in that caveat, the delivery timeline data — slipping to late 2026 and early 2027 — provides independent confirmation that real orders are waiting on real vehicles.
If Tesla can ramp the AWD to meaningful monthly volumes — industry observers suggest 2,000 to 4,000 units per month would constitute a healthy pace for this price tier — the Cybertruck would have its best chance at sustained commercial success. The delivery slippage to April 2027 for new orders suggests demand at launch exceeds current production capacity, which is an encouraging early signal for a vehicle that badly needed one.
The Bottom Line for Truck Buyers
The $59,990 Cybertruck AWD is the variant that should determine whether the Cybertruck becomes a mainstream truck product or remains a niche item. The lower price, AWD drivetrain, and full-size payload make it competitive on paper against the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T. The delivery delays — already stretching to April 2027 for new orders — confirm that initial demand is real, but Tesla's ability to ramp production without quality issues will be what the next six months tests.
Existing reservation holders should expect September to October 2026 delivery windows. Anyone ordering today should plan for a wait that extends well into next year.
Photo: Tesla showroom exterior / Pexels