Tesla Cybercab Production Begins Early, Elon Musk Confirms Sub-$30,000 Pricing Target

Daily Car

19/02/2026

Tesla has officially rolled out the first production Cybercab from its Gigafactory Texas, marking a significant milestone that arrived ahead of schedule. CEO Elon Musk has reaffirmed the company's commitment to offering a consumer version of the autonomous vehicle for under $30,000 by 2027, a target that has revived a viral bet involving a prominent YouTuber.

Key Takeaways

The first Tesla Cybercab has been produced at Gigafactory Texas, ahead of initial projections.
Elon Musk confirmed the target price of "$30,000 or less" for a consumer version by 2027.
The early production milestone has reignited a public bet where a YouTuber may shave his head if the car launches before 2027 at the stated price.

Production Milestone Achieved

Tesla announced the completion of its first Cybercab on February 17th, with the vehicle rolling off the assembly line at Gigafactory Texas. This event occurred more than a month earlier than Elon Musk had previously indicated, as manufacturing was not expected to commence until April. While this initial unit is likely a pilot build and not destined for customer delivery, it represents a crucial step forward for a project often associated with shifting timelines.

Public Bets and Pricing Confirmation

The early production news has brought renewed attention to a 2024 prediction made by YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD). He stated he would shave his head on camera if Tesla managed to launch the Cybercab before 2027 at a price point below $30,000. Following the announcement, memes depicting a bald MKBHD circulated widely on social media platform X. Musk himself engaged with the trend, replying "Gonna happen 😂" to one such post. In a separate interaction, Musk reiterated Tesla's plan to sell a consumer-ready Cybercab for "$30,000 or less" before the end of 2027.

Regulatory Hurdles Ahead

Despite the production progress, significant challenges remain for the Cybercab. The vehicle is designed as Tesla's first fully autonomous offering, intended to operate without a steering wheel or pedals. However, the company has previously suggested that these controls might be reintroduced if regulatory requirements demand them. The primary obstacle lies in navigating federal vehicle safety standards and insurance frameworks, which are predicated on the presence of a human driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may need to issue exemptions, and individual states could implement their own regulations for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. Successfully overcoming these legal and regulatory hurdles before 2027 remains a critical, open question for Tesla.

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