Tesla Cybertruck Heads to KSA and UAE Amid Global Struggles

Saudi Arabia : Tesla is bringing its bold electric truck to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but that move may not solve its bigger problems.

• Tesla Cybertruck will arrive in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar by late 2025.
• Global sales remain low, with fewer than 50,000 units sold
• Tesla faces design and regulatory issues in China and Europe
• KSA launch may target niche, premium buyers.

Tesla’s Cybertruck — a bold electric pickup wrapped in stainless steel and steeped in controversy — is heading to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This marks the first international sales push for the vehicle outside North America. But rather than a growth move, this may be a rescue plan.

Tesla Cybertruck Price in KSA and UAE

• Tesla has not yet revealed exact pricing for the Cybertruck in Saudi Arabia or the UAE.
• Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2025.
• Due to import costs and niche positioning, expect prices to be higher than in the US.
• It may launch as a high-end model to suit premium buyers in the Gulf.

Cybertruck Sales Fall Below Hype

When Elon Musk first unveiled the Cybertruck, the world took notice. Its sharp-edged design, "apocalypse-proof" pitch, and claims of 200,000 units per year created a storm of interest. Pre-orders even reached 1.5 million, according to an online tracker. But reality has been less kind.

By March 2025, Tesla had sold fewer than 50,000 Cybertrucks. In Q1 2025 alone, just 6,406 units were delivered, according to Cox Automotive. A recent recall further spotlighted production issues, with some targets at Tesla’s Austin factory reportedly dropped.

Glenn Mercer, president of GM Automotive, told BI, “There’s really no way to describe its sales record today as anything other than a severe disappointment.”

Blocked by Borders: Cybertruck’s Global Challenge

The Cybertruck faces major legal and design challenges in two of Tesla’s biggest markets — Europe and China.

In the EU, road size, emissions laws, and safety standards require significant changes to make the truck legal. In fact, a Cybertruck was recently seized by police in the UK for being non-road-legal.

In China, Musk admitted on X that making it legal there would be “very difficult.” Even though China has relaxed some pickup rules, Tesla still faces stiff competition and strict standards.

Why the Gulf Makes Sense for Tesla

Launching in oil-rich Saudi Arabia may seem odd for an electric truck, but the move is strategic. The Gulf’s luxury market could offer a lifeline to the struggling Cybertruck.

EV adoption in KSA is still low, and public charging infrastructure is limited. However, Tesla may not be aiming for the masses. Mercer believes the brand is repositioning the Cybertruck as a premium model in smaller markets.

“Given the high cost of adjusting the vehicle to each local market, I would imagine they would try to sell a very expensive, high-priced version of it as a niche or premium vehicle to make it worthwhile going after a dozen small overseas markets,” he said.

This boutique strategy might not fix Tesla’s sales crisis or its growing brand image issues, but it could carve out a small victory in places like KSA and the UAE.