Tesla’s online Design Studio configurator for the Cybertruck has gone through a strange transformation. Last evening, Tesla removed any mention of the Cybertruck’s three variants, opting for a more straightforward “Buy Now” button that only allows you to place a deposit on the vehicle without choosing which configuration you want to buy.
In November 2019, Tesla unveiled the all-electric Cybertruck. Immediately following the event, Tesla owners and enthusiasts were able to put down $100 deposits for the vehicle, securing their position in the extensive Cybertruck ordering queue. Tesla had three variants of the Cybertruck: a Single Motor for $39,990, a Dual Motor for $49,990, and finally, the most robust Tri-Motor variant for $69,990. According to an online Cybertruck order tracker, the vehicle has already accumulated over 1.3 million pre-orders, making Tesla’s backlog for the vehicle extensive and spanning across several years of production efforts.
Tesla has now modified the Cybertruck order page, only giving a single “Buy Now” button that requires a $100 deposit. There is no longer any mention of the vehicle’s several variants.
Credit: Tesla
Tesla has not released any details regarding the reason for changing the online configurator. Speculation points toward several reasons that include:
- Tesla may be making changes to the available variants
- Tesla’s Cybertruck production date has yet to be finalized and could be changed once again
- Tesla’s backlog of orders is so extensive, it is eliminating a customer’s ability to choose a variant, which could ultimately make things easier for the automaker’s initial phases of production.
The Cybertruck has gone through several design modifications since its unveiling. During an interview, CEO Elon Musk told Joe Rogan that the vehicle would need to be reduced in size by around 3%. Perhaps Tesla could be making more changes to the design, although the company said the design was finalized.
Tesla recently changed the initial production date of the Cybertruck from late 2021 to late 2022. As Gigafactory Texas will be the site of Cybertruck production, the factory is still not yet completed. The Tesla Model Y will be the first vehicle produced at the facility anyway, which puts the Cybertruck on the back burner for the production agenda at the Texas factory.
Additionally, Tesla’s already overwhelming backlog of orders for the Cybertruck could be so long that the company is just allowing people to pre-order the truck in any form. It could ask pre-orderers to finalize their configuration as their production date nears.
The Tesla Cybertruck will be one of the first all-electric pickups on the road, following the Rivian R1T, the GMC Hummer EV, and the Ford F-150 Lightning.
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Elon Musk
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla China sold 58,599 vehicles wholesale in February, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. The figure includes both domestic deliveries in China and vehicles exported to international markets.
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla’s February wholesale result represents a 91% increase year over year, compared with 30,688 vehicles in February 2025. Month over month, the result was down 15.2% from January, when Tesla China recorded 69,129 wholesale units.
The February total reflects combined sales of the Model 3 and Model Y produced at Gigafactory Shanghai. The facility produces the two vehicles for both domestic sales and exports.
Gigafactory Shanghai continues to serve as Tesla’s primary vehicle export hub, supplying vehicles to markets across Asia and Europe. Data compiled by Tesla watchers shows that 18,485 vehicles were sold domestically in China in January 2026, while exports accounted for 50,644 units during the same period.
Tesla has also been extending financing programs in China as it pushes to strengthen domestic demand. The company recently extended its seven-year ultra-low-interest and five-year interest-free financing programs through March 31, marking the second extension of the promotion this year.
The financing initiative was first introduced on January 6 as a strategy aimed at offsetting higher ownership costs ahead of China’s planned 5% NEV purchase tax in 2026. The promotion was originally scheduled to expire at the end of January before being extended to February and then again through the end of the first quarter.
Tesla’s efforts come amid growing competition in China’s EV market. According to data compiled by CNEV Post, Tesla’s 2025 retail sales in China reached 625,698 vehicles, representing a 4.78% year-over-year decline. Part of that decline was linked to the Model Y changeover to its updated variant in early 2025, which temporarily reduced deliveries during the transition period.
News
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
Tesla’s upcoming Model Y L has been spotted on transport trucks in Australia. Sightings of the six-seat extended wheelbase Model Y variant have been reported on social media platform X by members of the Australian Tesla community.
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
The sighting follows earlier observations by Tesla enthusiasts in Sydney, where a covered vehicle believed to be a Model Y L was spotted at a Supercharger.
The Sydney sighting drew attention after observers noted that the vehicle’s tare weight appeared to match the ADR approval listing for the Model Y L, suggesting it could indeed be the extended wheelbase variant of the electric SUV.
Tesla has previously confirmed that the Model Y L will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2026. The confirmation was reported by techAU following a media release from Tesla Australia and New Zealand.
The Model Y L expands the existing Model Y lineup with seating for six passengers. The vehicle features a longer body compared with the standard Model Y in order to accommodate a spacious second and third row.
Tesla has opted for a 2-2-2 seating configuration instead of a traditional seven-seat layout for the Model Y L. The design includes two individual seats in the middle row to provide easier access to the third row and additional passenger space.
Tesla Australia and New Zealand has also stated that the Model Y L will be covered under the company’s updated warranty structure beginning in 2026.
Tesla has not yet announced pricing or official range figures for the Model Y L in Australia.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk shares timeframe for X Money early public access rollout
X Money is expected to enable financial transactions within the app, expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond social media features.
Elon Musk has stated that X Money, the digital payments system being developed for social media platform X, is expected to enter early public access next month.
The update was shared by Musk in a post on X. “𝕏 Money early public access will launch next month,” Musk wrote in his post.
As noted in a Reuters report, X Money is being developed as a digital payment service that’s directly integrated into the X platform.
The system is expected to enable financial transactions within the app, expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond social media features.
Musk has previously discussed plans to introduce payments and financial services as part of X’s broader development.
Since acquiring the platform in 2022, Musk has discussed expanding X to include a range of services such as messaging, media, and financial tools.
Elon Musk has shared his goal of transforming X into an “everything app.” During a previous podcast interview with members of the Tesla community, Musk mused about turning X into something similar to China’s WeChat, which allows users to shop, pay, communicate, and perform a variety of other tasks.
“In China, you do everything in WeChat… it’s kickass… Outside of China, there’s nothing like it, people live on one app. My idea would be like how about if we just copy WeChat,” Musk joked at the time.
To prepare for the rollout of X Money, X has partnered with payment company Visa to support the development of payment services for the platform’s users. The move could allow X to tap into the growing demand for digital and in-app financial transactions as the company builds additional services around its existing user base.
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
