Tesla has begun deliveries of its Cybertruck in the United Arab Emirates, marking the electric pickup's first sales in the Middle East and its second international market after South Korea. The company launched the vehicle in Dubai's Al Marmoom desert area, featuring a light show for the occasion.
Over 63 Cybertrucks were handed over to customers at the event, with prices starting at AED 404,900 (approximately $110,000) for the Dual Motor AWD model. The tri-motor Cyberbeast is priced at AED 454,900 (~$123,000), a significant premium over the US price.
Tesla also launched the configurator in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Israel, with deliveries rolling out across the region. This marks an expansion of the company's international presence, following its initial launch in South Korea.
The Cybertruck remains blocked from sale in the European Union due to regulatory issues, including compliance with EU pedestrian protection standards. Despite this, Tesla has seen a collapse in US sales figures, which have fallen short of CEO Elon Musk's predictions of 250,000 to 500,000 annual sales.
The company is now focusing on regional markets where the Cybertruck's unique features are more appealing, such as the Middle East and North America. However, the future of the Cybertruck remains uncertain, with some speculating that Tesla may switch to a more traditional truck if it fails commercially.
As the company shifts its focus towards other product lines, including robotaxis and humanoid robots, the Cybertruck's place in the market is becoming increasingly unclear.
The Middle East expansion of the Cybertruck marks an interesting strategic move by Tesla, catering to markets where the vehicle's unique features are more appealing. However, the company's failure to meet sales projections in the US raises questions about the long-term viability of the Cybertruck model.
