Tesla Faces Scrutiny as Musk-Linked Companies Reportedly Bought Over 1,000 Cybertrucks

Tesla is under renewed scrutiny after a report suggested that companies linked to Elon Musk purchased more than 1,000 Cybertruck units, raising questions about the vehicle’s real market demand in the United States.

According to data from S&P Global Mobility, cited by Bloomberg, SpaceX alone accounted for 1,279 Cybertruck purchases in the last quarter of 2025. Additional companies associated with Musk reportedly acquired around 60 more units during the same period.

Together, these purchases may represent roughly 18% of all Cybertruck sales in the US market during that timeframe, significantly influencing overall sales figures.

Without these internal transactions, analysts estimate that Cybertruck sales would have dropped by approximately 51% over the final three months of the year, highlighting weaker-than-expected consumer demand for Tesla’s long-anticipated electric pickup.

The reported vehicle purchases are valued at more than $100 million, according to the analysis. Bloomberg also noted that additional orders from Musk-related companies continued into early 2026, including January and February, suggesting that the trend may not have been a one-time occurrence.

The development comes as Tesla continues to face challenges in the electric pickup segment. Despite being one of the company’s most anticipated launches, the Cybertruck has struggled to meet initial sales expectations.

In response to slowing demand, Tesla recently introduced a more affordable version of the Cybertruck priced at $59,990, down from the earlier entry price of $79,990. The company also reduced the price of its high-end Cyberbeast variant from $114,990 to $99,990 in an effort to attract more buyers.

Beyond the Cybertruck, Tesla has also experienced broader market pressure. In 2025, the company recorded approximately 1.64 million vehicle deliveries, marking a 9% decline compared to the previous year. This decline contributed to Tesla losing its position as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer to China’s BYD, which delivered 2.26 million electrified vehicles in the same period.

Despite these challenges, Tesla reported better-than-expected profits in its latest quarterly earnings. However, revenue fell short of analyst forecasts. Following the earnings release, Tesla shares rose more than 3% in after-hours trading.