Tesla Upfitter Unplugged Performance Offers to Take Over Cybertruck Production

Unplugged Performance, a Tesla aftermarket specialist, has publicly offered to take over Cybertruck production from Tesla to prevent the pickup from being canceled. The proposal comes as Tesla prepares to phase out Cybertruck assembly at Gigafactory Texas by mid-2027 to prioritize its Cybercab robotaxi program.

What Happened

In an open offer posted on X on Tuesday, Unplugged Performance stated it would be glad to take the Cybertruck line off Tesla’s hands, funding the effort through a consortium of investors. The company emphasized that this arrangement would incur no cost to Tesla’s floor space, headcount, or focus, allowing Tesla to direct all resources toward the Cybercab. Under the proposal, Unplugged Performance would also wait for battery cells until Cybercab needs are met.

The Hawthorne, California-based company indicated it would build the Cybertruck, a three-row CyberSUV, and an unmanned CyberCargo hauler. Unplugged Performance noted that Tesla would gain incremental profit through a licensing fee, as well as revenue from Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Robotaxi network services on every vehicle produced.

Following initial interest, Unplugged Performance invited potential investors and strategic partners to reach out via email. The company clarified that this outreach is solely to gauge interest and does not currently constitute an offer to sell securities or acceptance of funds.

Why It Matters

This proposal highlights the tension between Tesla’s current product portfolio and its strategic pivot toward autonomy. Elon Musk has indicated that Cybertruck production in Texas will be phased out by roughly the middle of 2027 to expand Cybercab output. Unplugged Performance’s offer provides a potential pathway to maintain the stainless-steel pickup’s availability without diverting critical manufacturing capacity from Tesla’s primary autonomy goals.

For the aftermarket sector, the move underscores the depth of Unplugged Performance’s involvement with the Cybertruck platform. The company has developed premium upgrades under its UP INVINCIBLE line and purpose-built police and fleet versions through its UP.FIT division, including deliveries to agencies such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The Bottom Line

Whether Tesla will engage with Unplugged Performance’s offer remains to be seen. The public overture reflects the growing focus on autonomy within Tesla’s manufacturing plans and the aftermarket specialist’s established experience with the Cybertruck platform.