Tesla Cybertruck Sales Launch in the UAE
Before the launch of the Tesla Cybertruck, Elon Musk suggested that annual sales could reach 500,000 units. However, as sales of the electric pickup never gained momentum in the United States, Tesla began introducing the Cybertruck to new markets, the latest of which is the Middle East.
At the beginning of the month, the first Cybertrucks were delivered to customers in the United Arab Emirates. During a special launch event, approximately 60 vehicles were handed over.
Prices and Demand in the New Market
Although the initial hype around the electric pickup in the U.S. has subsided, it remains popular in the Middle East. Many had already imported it to the region even before the official start of sales. However, the UAE market and the region as a whole remain relatively small and will not help Tesla get closer to its early forecasts for the Cybertruck.
As one of the world’s largest oil producers, the UAE has some of the lowest fuel prices in the world, which complicates the sale of electric vehicles. Thanks to cheap gasoline and a strong automotive culture focused on performance and status, the appeal of a futuristic electric vehicle like the Cybertruck is more about novelty than necessity.
In the UAE, the price for the dual-motor version starts at 404,900 dirhams, which is approximately $110,000 USD. This is significantly higher than the $79,990 price in the U.S. The top-tier tri-motor Cyberbeast version costs 454,900 dirhams, or about $123,000, which is a smaller markup compared to its U.S. price of $114,990.
Sales Decline in the USA
In the United States, Cybertruck sales plummeted in 2025. Tesla sold only 20,237 units, which is 48.1% less than the 38,965 vehicles sold in 2024, its first full year on the market. The last quarter was particularly challenging: only 4,140 pickups were delivered. This is a 68.1% drop compared to 12,991 units in the last quarter of the previous year.
Expanding sales geography to markets like the UAE is a logical step to compensate for the decline in interest at home. However, high starting prices, the specifics of the local market with its affordable fuel and cultural preferences cast doubt on the possibility of the model’s mass success in this region. Sales dynamics indicate that the Cybertruck, despite its innovative design, remains a niche product that has failed to meet overly optimistic volume forecasts, even on its primary territory.