On a bustling morning in mid-June 2025, tech visionary Elon Musk took to the global stage—both literally and virtually—to unveil the final pricing for Tesla’s much-anticipated Cybertruck, following a significant update to its features. The announcement, made during a live event at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, on June 10, 2025, has sent ripples through the electric vehicle (EV) market, igniting excitement among enthusiasts and sparking debates among analysts and consumers. As of 11:40 AM +07 on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, this revelation has dominated headlines, shedding light on Tesla’s strategy to solidify its position in the competitive pickup truck segment while addressing past criticisms and production challenges.

The Long-Awaited Reveal

The Cybertruck, first unveiled in November 2019 with a bold promise of a starting price of $39,900, has been a subject of fascination and frustration due to repeated delays and shifting specifications. Musk’s latest announcement marks a pivotal moment, coming after years of speculation and a series of production hurdles that pushed the vehicle’s launch to late 2023. The event, streamed on X and attended by a select group of investors and media, showcased the updated Cybertruck, now equipped with enhanced features that Musk claims elevate it beyond its initial concept.

Musk opened the presentation with his signature flair, driving a Cybertruck onto the stage to a roar of applause. “This is the future we promised, refined and ready,” he declared, highlighting the new additions: an improved range extender, upgraded autonomous driving capabilities, and a reinforced exoskeleton designed for enhanced durability. The range extender, a detachable battery pack, promises to boost the vehicle’s range by up to 150 miles, addressing a key criticism of the original model’s 340-mile limit. The autonomous driving update integrates Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite with advanced sensor arrays, aiming to compete with rivals like Waymo and Rivian.

Final Pricing Breakdown

The pricing reveal was the day’s centerpiece. Musk confirmed that the Cybertruck would be available in three variants, with final prices reflecting both the new features and market adjustments. The base rear-wheel-drive model, previously slated for $60,990, now starts at $69,990, incorporating the range extender and FSD as standard. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, once estimated at $79,990, is priced at $89,990, offering a combined range of 470 miles. The top-tier Cyberbeast tri-motor variant, initially pegged at $99,990, will retail for $109,990, boasting 834 horsepower and a top speed of 131 mph.

These figures represent a significant departure from the 2019 estimates, with the base model now nearly 75% higher than Musk’s original promise. Musk justified the increase, citing rising raw material costs, advanced technology integration, and the vehicle’s unique stainless-steel construction. “We’re not just building a truck; we’re building a statement,” he said, emphasizing the Cybertruck’s bulletproof panels and off-road capabilities, which he demonstrated with a live towing test against a Ford F-150 Lightning.

The announcement aligns with recent price adjustments, including a $15,000 cut in October 2024 that brought used Cybertruck values down, reflecting improved supply. However, the new pricing has raised eyebrows, with some analysts suggesting it targets a niche, affluent market rather than the mass audience Musk initially envisioned. “This is a luxury play, not a volume seller,” noted Jessica Caldwell of Edmunds, pointing to the $69,990 starting price as a barrier for mainstream buyers amid high interest rates.

Reactions and Market Impact

The response has been a mixed bag of enthusiasm and skepticism. On X, Tesla fans celebrated the updates, with posts hailing the Cybertruck as “the ultimate EV beast” and praising its range and performance boosts. The video of Musk’s towing demo, shared widely, garnered over 10 million views within 24 hours. However, critics argue the price hikes undermine Tesla’s earlier appeal to budget-conscious EV adopters, with one user commenting, “$70k for a truck that was supposed to be $40k? Elon’s lost the plot.”

Investors reacted cautiously, with Tesla’s stock (TSLA) dipping 2% in after-hours trading on June 10, reflecting concerns about demand. Analysts like Adam Jonas of Morgan Stanley, who maintains a $380 price target, noted that the Cybertruck might contribute less than 5% to Tesla’s revenue by 2025, aligning with its niche positioning. Competitors, including Ford with its F-150 Lightning at $49,995 and Rivian’s R1T at $73,000, have seized the opportunity to highlight their more affordable options, intensifying the market battle.

Context of Delays and Evolution

The Cybertruck’s journey has been fraught with challenges, shaping its final form. Originally slated for a 2021 launch, production delays—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, and the need for new manufacturing techniques—pushed delivery to November 2023. Musk’s admission in 2023 that “we dug our own grave with Cybertruck” underscored the difficulty of its radical design, inspired by Blade Runner and James Bond’s Lotus Esprit. The stainless-steel exoskeleton, while durable, required innovative production methods, contributing to cost overruns.

The feature update addresses past shortcomings. The original 340-mile range fell short of Musk’s 500-mile promise, and early models faced recalls for issues like faulty wipers and accelerator pedals. The new range extender, though costing an additional $16,000 if purchased separately, aims to close this gap, though its mid-2025 rollout has drawn mixed reviews. The FSD upgrade, promised since 2019, now includes enhanced obstacle detection, but its reliability remains untested at scale, fueling skepticism among safety advocates.

Broader Implications

The announcement has broader implications for Tesla’s EV strategy and Musk’s reputation. With softening demand and rising competition from Chinese automakers like NIO and XPeng, the Cybertruck’s success is critical to maintaining Tesla’s innovation edge. Musk’s decision to prioritize premium features over affordability mirrors his approach with the Model X, but risks alienating the mass market he once targeted. The event also distracts from Tesla’s recent layoffs—over 10% of its workforce—and a $150 billion stock drop following his DOGE exit and feud with Trump.

Social media has amplified the debate, with users questioning Musk’s pricing strategy and others defending his vision. Posts on X highlight a divide: some see the Cybertruck as a technological marvel, while others call it “overpriced hype.” The update’s timing, post-DOGE fallout, suggests a bid to refocus on Tesla’s core mission, though critics argue it’s a diversion from political and financial setbacks.

The Road Ahead

As of 11:40 AM +07 on June 11, 2025, Tesla has begun accepting orders for the updated Cybertruck, with deliveries expected to start in July 2025 for the base model and later for higher trims. Musk has hinted at further enhancements, including a potential amphibious mode, though details remain vague. The company’s ability to meet its 250,000-unit annual production target by 2026 will be a key metric, especially as rivals ramp up output.

The viral nature of the announcement, fueled by Musk’s X platform, underscores his influence, but also the pressure to deliver. For now, the Cybertruck stands as a symbol of Tesla’s ambition—and its challenges—leaving the public to wonder whether this price hike will break the EV market or break Tesla’s promise to the masses.