Why the GMC Hummer EV Outsold Tesla Cybertruck in Q2 2025
In a surprising twist for the EV market, the GMC Hummer EV outsold Tesla Cybertruck in the second quarter of 2025. Despite Tesla’s long-standing dominance in the electric vehicle space, the Cybertruck's sales have sharply declined—dropping to just 4,306 units last quarter. In contrast, GMC moved 4,508 units of its all-electric Hummer, including both pickup and SUV variants. This reversal has left industry analysts questioning the future of Tesla’s polarizing electric truck. With consumers shifting preferences and increasing competition, what led to this unexpected shake-up in electric truck rankings?
Image Credits:David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News / Getty Images
GMC Hummer EV Outsold Tesla Cybertruck: What the Numbers Reveal
Tesla’s Cybertruck launched with immense hype in late 2023, fueled by Elon Musk’s bold promises and viral design. However, the vehicle's sales momentum has collapsed just as quickly as it rose. After peaking at nearly 17,000 units sold in Q3 of 2024, the Cybertruck’s numbers fell off a cliff in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, the GMC Hummer EV, despite being bulky, pricey, and not particularly efficient, managed to surpass the Cybertruck in sales. It’s worth noting that GMC’s tally includes the SUV variant, but even so, the margin reflects real consumer decisions. Customers appear to be gravitating toward traditional-looking electric trucks over Tesla’s experimental design.
The shift isn’t isolated to Tesla and GMC. Ford's F-150 Lightning remains the segment leader with 5,842 units sold in Q2, even though that figure marks a year-over-year dip. Rivian’s R1T also continues to slide, with only 1,752 sales in the last quarter. Across the board, electric truck sales are cooling off—but Tesla’s dramatic fall from grace is the most pronounced, drawing the spotlight to the company's broader struggles.
What’s Causing Tesla Cybertruck's Decline?
The reasons why the GMC Hummer EV outsold Tesla Cybertruck are complex. For starters, the Cybertruck still doesn’t deliver on many of its original promises. When it was first unveiled in 2019, Tesla teased a $40,000 price tag—an attractive number for a futuristic electric truck. In reality, the production model launched at a significantly higher price point, which has alienated many would-be buyers. Beyond pricing, usability and design have also drawn criticism. The truck’s angular steel exterior may look futuristic, but it doesn’t appeal to traditional truck buyers who value practicality and familiarity over flair.
Another factor dragging down Cybertruck sales is Elon Musk himself. His increasingly polarizing public persona—especially his political alignments and ties to the Trump administration—has caused reputational damage to Tesla as a brand. While loyalists continue to support Musk, a growing number of potential EV buyers are reconsidering whether they want to support a company so closely tied to controversy. Combined with production bottlenecks and quality concerns, the Cybertruck is quickly losing the “cool factor” it once had.
What This Means for the Future of Electric Trucks
The fact that the GMC Hummer EV outsold Tesla Cybertruck may mark a broader shift in the electric vehicle market. Buyers are no longer dazzled by hype alone; they’re looking for quality, value, and trustworthiness. GMC has leveraged its legacy brand and traditional truck styling to win over customers who might find Tesla’s Cybertruck too radical or too expensive. Meanwhile, Ford’s F-150 Lightning remains the steady performer, proving that familiarity still sells in the truck market—even in its electric form.
As for Tesla, the Cybertruck’s steep decline raises serious questions about the company’s future in the electric truck segment. With massive unused capacity at its Texas Gigafactory and slowing demand, Tesla will need to recalibrate its approach—possibly by slashing prices, redesigning the truck, or launching new models that appeal to a broader audience. Otherwise, the electric truck space could continue to shift toward legacy automakers and newer startups that better understand evolving customer needs.
The GMC Hummer EV outsold Tesla Cybertruck in Q2 2025, signaling a dramatic shift in the electric truck market. Once the most anticipated EV on the road, the Cybertruck is now falling behind due to high costs, controversial leadership, and unmet expectations. Meanwhile, legacy brands like GMC and Ford are capitalizing on trust and familiarity to maintain their foothold. As the competition heats up and consumer preferences evolve, Tesla’s next moves could determine whether the Cybertruck remains a niche curiosity or stages a comeback in the years ahead.
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