Tesla Cybertruck shock – it’s gonna be redesigned after all! Smaller ‘Cyberute’ for export markets will lose sharp edges

As demand for the Tesla Cybertruck falls on home turf, the world’s biggest EV builder is working secretly to develop a smaller electric ‘Cyberute’.

The Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6 rival should be capable of passing Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and European pedestrian impact tests as Tesla seeks more sales volume globally.

Letting slip that a smaller ute is on the agenda, Tesla’s head of engineering, Lars Moravy, admitted a downsized Cybertruck retaining much of the wild pick-up’s distinctive design would net a far broader audience for the US firm.

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“We always talked about making a smaller pick-up”, Moravy told Tesla owners, investors and journalists from Business Insider at an event in California.

Admitting that in current form, the Cybertruck was simply too big for some markets, the car-maker’s VP for engineering went on to hint that even with the switch to driverless vehicles, there would still be a need for commercial vehicles like utes and vans.

“I think in the future, as more and more robotaxis come into the world, we look at those options [utes] and we think about, OK, that kind of service is useful not just for people, but also for goods,” said Moravy.

Confirming work had already begun on the design of the smaller ute, the senior exec told those assembled:

“We’ve definitely been churning in the design studio about what we might do to serve that need for sure.”

No timescale was provided for when the mini-Cybertruck might land but it could come sooner than you think after a tricky first half of 2025.

According to data, Tesla sold just 10,712 Cybertrucks in the first six months of this year, with Q2 sales down a substantial 50.8 per cent alone.

The Cyberute is the latest in a rush of model activity previewed by Tesla including the three-row Tesal Model YL, the extended range Model 3+ and cheaper entry-level Model Y and Model 3.

Originally, it was thought the Cybertruck would automatically be on the menu for export markets like Australia and Europe.

Tesla even collected deposits in some places, but following its reveal it was judged too heavy for some markets.

Its sharp edges meant it would have needed a significant redesign for it to pass European pedestrian impact tests.

Locally, it’s been reported that Tesla Australia is still seriously considering bringing a right-hand drive-converted Cybertruck Down Under.

The brand’s local outfit has already been briefed on the design tweaks needed to meet ADRs. That suggests Tesla Australia is working through whether or not a strong enough business case to bring it here.

Priced from around $US80,000 ($A123,000) in the US, the right-hand drive Cybertruck is expected to cost around $140,000, which means it will at least match the price of combustion-powered full-size trucks already on sale here.

Roughly the same size as a Ford F-150, the 3.1-tonne Cybertruck measures in at 5682mm long, 2201mm wide and stands 1791mm tall.

The big EV features a very respectable 1134kg payload, claimed towing capability of almost 5000kg and a range up to 547km.