The production for the Cybercab is scheduled for 2026, with an annual target of around 2 million units.
On Oct. 30, Tesla announced that its first autonomous taxi, the Cybercab, will make its Asia-Pacific debut at the 8th China International Import Expo, opening Nov. 5. The appearance marks Tesla’s return to the expo after skipping last year.
Launched in October 2024, the Cybercab is Tesla’s first production model designed specifically for autonomous driving scenarios.
The production is scheduled for 2026, with an annual target of around 2 million units. CEO Elon Musk has indicated the vehicle’s cost will be kept under $30,000.
The Cybercab features a two-door coupe design with falcon-wing doors, continuing the futuristic Cyber series aesthetic. Its gold exterior pays homage to New York taxis.
The most striking design element is the removal of the steering wheel and pedals, combined with full privacy glass, reflecting a fully driverless concept.
The vehicle is equipped with a battery pack under 50 kWh and uses a narrow front, wide rear aerodynamic design and enclosed wheels to achieve approximately 483 km of range.
Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm recently noted that regulatory requirements may lead to reintroducing a steering wheel and pedals for certain market versions. This means whether the Cybercab can enter production as a fully driverless vehicle depends on regional policy approvals.
Denholm also hinted in a recent interview that Tesla will soon launch several new models but provided no details. Industry speculation suggests a possible affordable “Model 2,” following Tesla’s previous release of standard versions of Model 3 and Model Y.
However, given Tesla’s current intense focus on autonomous driving technology, the Cybercab project is likely to take far higher priority than the yet-to-be-confirmed “Model 2.”
Meanwhile, competitors are accelerating their autonomous driving efforts. On the same day Tesla announced Cybercab’s CIIE debut, XPeng Chairman He Xiaopeng confirmed that XPeng’s 2025 AI Day will take place Nov. 5, showcasing physical AI technology and its first production Robotaxi.
In China, Tesla’s cumulative sales (including exports) for Jan.–Sep. 2025 reached 606,364 units, down 10.27% year on year.
Amid pressure on local sales, the Cybercab debut could represent Tesla’s effort to boost market momentum.
Discover more from ChinaEVHome
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
