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Friday, August 22, 2025 11:28:23 AM
Tesla Stock Rises. It Has a Strategy to Sell More Cybertrucks.
By George Glover
and Al Root
Updated Aug 22, 2025, 10:08 am EDT
has spent the past few years slashing prices in a bid to improve affordability and outsell its rivals—but the electric-vehicle maker appears to be adopting a different strategy with its fastest Cybertruck.
It’s another sign of how Tesla feels about the future of the EV and car businesses.
The company has raised the price of its high-end Cyberbeast to $114,990
from $99,990 in the U.S., according to listings on its website. The truck now has a “Luxe Package,” which includes Full-Self Driving, or FSD, four-year wheel and tire protection, and free supercharging access.
Essentially, Tesla is bundling its highest-level driver-assistance product into the purchase price. With other Tesla models, customers can pay a one-time fee of $8,000 or $99 a month for FSD. The $8,000 fee isn’t equivalent to the $15,000 price hike, but free charging is attractive, too.
The two other Cybertruck options still start at $62,490 and $72,450, respectively, and don’t come with the Luxe package.
Tesla stock was up 1.6% in early trading Friday at $325.12, while the S&P 500
The market and not the Cybertruck move are the most likely cause of the rise. Pricing decisions on a single trim don’t typically move car stocks. Still, the Luxe package might be a test for the company, trying to improve the uptake of Tesla’s Full-Self Driving software. If the bundle option is successful, Tesla buyers might see it on higher-end trims of other Tesla models.
Tesla, lately, has been laser-focused on self-driving technology. It launched a self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas on June 22. And CEO Elon Musk recently pointed out that a Model Y configuration just offered in China might never be sold in the U.S. if self-driving technology advances fast enough.
The autonomous driving focus arguably has impacted car sales. A promised lower-priced model designed to help arrest sales declines hasn’t arrived, and it looks as if it will be a lower-end Model Y trim.
Tesla sales in the first half of 2025 fell about 13% year over year globally. Despite the drop, Tesla stock was up more than 50% over the past 12 months. Investors, it seems, are also focused on the potential for self-driving technology to drive a new era of earnings growth.
As for Cybertruck, sales have slowed. The company doesn’t release sales by model data, but data provider Cox Automotive reported second-quarter Cyber truck sales of 4,306 units, down 51% year over year, and below the 5,842 F-150 Lighting electric pickup trucks Ford
The Cybertruck only accounts for 1% or 2% of total Tesla sales. The highest-level trim only accounts for a portion of Cybertruck sales. Testing a new Luxe package won’t have much impact on the bottom line.
But it does show the direction of the company. Musk wants more self-driving cars.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/tesla-stock-cybertrucks-luxe-price-8f362aa3?siteid=yhoof2
By George Glover
and Al Root
Updated Aug 22, 2025, 10:08 am EDT
has spent the past few years slashing prices in a bid to improve affordability and outsell its rivals—but the electric-vehicle maker appears to be adopting a different strategy with its fastest Cybertruck.
It’s another sign of how Tesla feels about the future of the EV and car businesses.
The company has raised the price of its high-end Cyberbeast to $114,990
from $99,990 in the U.S., according to listings on its website. The truck now has a “Luxe Package,” which includes Full-Self Driving, or FSD, four-year wheel and tire protection, and free supercharging access.
Essentially, Tesla is bundling its highest-level driver-assistance product into the purchase price. With other Tesla models, customers can pay a one-time fee of $8,000 or $99 a month for FSD. The $8,000 fee isn’t equivalent to the $15,000 price hike, but free charging is attractive, too.
The two other Cybertruck options still start at $62,490 and $72,450, respectively, and don’t come with the Luxe package.
Tesla stock was up 1.6% in early trading Friday at $325.12, while the S&P 500
The market and not the Cybertruck move are the most likely cause of the rise. Pricing decisions on a single trim don’t typically move car stocks. Still, the Luxe package might be a test for the company, trying to improve the uptake of Tesla’s Full-Self Driving software. If the bundle option is successful, Tesla buyers might see it on higher-end trims of other Tesla models.
Tesla, lately, has been laser-focused on self-driving technology. It launched a self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas on June 22. And CEO Elon Musk recently pointed out that a Model Y configuration just offered in China might never be sold in the U.S. if self-driving technology advances fast enough.
The autonomous driving focus arguably has impacted car sales. A promised lower-priced model designed to help arrest sales declines hasn’t arrived, and it looks as if it will be a lower-end Model Y trim.
Tesla sales in the first half of 2025 fell about 13% year over year globally. Despite the drop, Tesla stock was up more than 50% over the past 12 months. Investors, it seems, are also focused on the potential for self-driving technology to drive a new era of earnings growth.
As for Cybertruck, sales have slowed. The company doesn’t release sales by model data, but data provider Cox Automotive reported second-quarter Cyber truck sales of 4,306 units, down 51% year over year, and below the 5,842 F-150 Lighting electric pickup trucks Ford
The Cybertruck only accounts for 1% or 2% of total Tesla sales. The highest-level trim only accounts for a portion of Cybertruck sales. Testing a new Luxe package won’t have much impact on the bottom line.
But it does show the direction of the company. Musk wants more self-driving cars.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/tesla-stock-cybertrucks-luxe-price-8f362aa3?siteid=yhoof2
