Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series Stripped of Badge, Sold as Regular Models to Salvage Demand

Tesla is taking bold steps to address demand issues for its Foundation Series Cybertrucks. By stripping premium badges and features, the automaker is selling them as regular models, with over 800 units being shipped to Canada to capture a more receptive market.

Tesla Cybertruck Demand Faces New Challenges

Due to sales problems in the United States, Tesla is converting a number of its Foundation Series Cybertrucks into normal Cybertrucks and shipping hundreds of US Cybertrucks to Canada to be homologated.

Tesla appears to have cleared its Cybertruck reservation backlog and is now experiencing demand challenges, according to recent signals.

Electrek stated earlier this month that Tesla has instructed Cybertruck assembly line workers at Gigafactory Texas to take a short vacation.

By including the Cybertruck in its referral network, Tesla was able to immediately discount the vehicle and lower lease pricing.

There are a large number of Cybertrucks, including numerous Cybertrucks from the Foundation Series, that are currently available for quick shipment.

Foundation Series Cybertrucks Struggle to Sell

Reserve holders were the initial target market for the Foundation Series Cybertrucks. Along with a slew of extra amenities and accessories, Tesla tacked on an extra $20,000.

We now know that Tesla is still trapped with a lot of Foundation Series trucks, even after they switched manufacture to ordinary Cybertrucks in October, which are cheaper.

According to documents obtained by Electrek and a source familiar with the situation, the carmaker is apparently even preparing to de-Foundation Series some Cybertrucks.

The Foundation Series Cybertrucks will have unique laser etched badging on the outside and Foundation badging on the inside of the vehicle, in addition to the $20,000 bundle of features and equipment that Tesla is adding to the trucks.

Tesla Modifies Cybertrucks for Canadian Market

In an effort to resell the vehicles as conventional Cybertrucks for $20,000 cheaper, Tesla is having them removed at service and collision centers across the United States.

The idea to homologate 800 Cybertrucks for the Canadian market and send them to the country, where Tesla thinks they will have a greater chance of selling them, has been verified by sources acquainted with the situation.

Owners can expect higher wait times at the collision center and service center as a result of all these efforts.