Tesla brings Cybertruck to Middle East amid US demand collapse

Around 63 Cybertrucks were handed over at a launch event in Dubai’s Al Marmoom desert area, featuring a light show for the occasion.

Pricing in the UAE

The Cybertruck starts at AED 404,900 (approximately $110,000) for the Dual Motor AWD, a significant premium over the $79,990 US price. The tri-motor Cyberbeast is priced at AED 454,900 (~$123,000), compared to $114,990 in the US.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Tesla also launched the configurator in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Israel, with deliveries rolling out across the region. The company first opened orders in the Middle East in September 2025.

Second international market

The UAE launch follows South Korea, which became the first market outside North America to receive Cybertruck deliveries on November 27, 2025.

Tesla chose these markets strategically, both allow the Cybertruck without the significant modifications needed for European compliance.

Why not Europe?

The Cybertruck remains blocked from sale in the European Union. As we previously reported, even the U.S. Army confirmed it cannot import Cybertrucks for personnel stationed in Europe, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport denied exemption requests because the vehicle “deviates significantly” from EU regulations.

The sharp-edged stainless steel body violates EU pedestrian protection standards, which require deformable crumple zones. The vehicle also exceeds the 3.5-tonne weight threshold, and authorities in the UK have seized imported Cybertrucks as illegal.

Expanding amid plummeting US demand

The international expansion comes as Cybertruck sales have collapsed in the United States. According to Cox Automotive data:

• 2024: 38,965 units
• 2025: 20,237 units (48% decline)
• Q4 2025: Just 4,140 units (68% drop YoY)

These figures fall dramatically short of CEO Elon Musk’s predictions of 250,000 to 500,000 annual sales. Tesla’s own Q4 delivery report confirmed the Cybertruck “really is the big miss.”

The sales slump got so bad that Musk’s other companies started buying Cybertrucks Tesla couldn’t sell, SpaceX purchased tens of millions worth.

Pricing remains the core issue. At the 2019 unveiling, Tesla announced a $39,900 base price. Today, the cheapest Cybertruck (Long Range RWD) starts at $69,990 — a 75% increase.

Electrek’s Take

The Middle East expansion makes strategic sense. These are markets where $100,000+ trucks are commonplace, and the Cybertruck’s “look at me” factor carries real appeal.

But let’s be realistic: the UAE and broader Middle East are tiny markets. This won’t offset the dramatic US sales decline.

The future of the Cybertruck is truly in question, as even Musk said that Tesla might switch to a more traditional truck if it fails, which it has commercially.

Given the company’s focus on robotaxis and humanoid robots, a redesigned “more palettable Cybertruck” seems increasingly unlikely. The vehicle remains a regional product, available in North America, South Korea, and the Middle East.