Despite the Cybertruck still facing delays, pre-orders for the electric pickup will officially open on November 30, and Tesla has released the sales terms for a model introduced almost 5 years ago.
Among these terms, accessible to all, a clause stands out in the “For Cybertruck Only” section, imposing a restriction on owners not to resell their Cybertrucks within the first year of delivery. Violating this clause could lead to legal action and fines of up to $50,000.
Why Tesla Implemented This Clause
Specifically, the text reads: “You agree that you will not sell or otherwise attempt to sell the Vehicle within the first year following your Vehicle’s delivery date.” In case of violation, Tesla reserves the right to take legal action to prevent the sale, with damages amounting to $50,000 or the sale value, whichever is higher. Additionally, the customer might be placed on a “blacklist,” and Tesla could refuse to sell them any other vehicles.
Exceptions exist, and if a customer demonstrates valid reasons for selling the Tesla Cybertruck, the company might decide to repurchase it at the original price, with a deduction of $0.25 for each mile driven, considering wear and tear, and repair expenses. If Tesla is uninterested in repurchasing, they might still grant permission for the owner to resell it privately.
This decision likely stems from a desire to maintain a certain exclusivity for the vehicle and prevent its depreciation. However, there are complications. For instance, the Full Self-Driving feature, priced at up to $199 per month, is not transferable to a new owner. It remains unclear whether this move could affect pre-orders for the vehicle, which have already been marred by delays that have displeased customers.
First announced in 2019, the Cybertruck is Tesla’s first new product in years and is poised to potentially revolutionize the electric pickup market. Despite Tesla’s initial statement that the vehicle would start at $39,900 in the U.S., it is likely to be significantly more expensive due to rising raw material prices. There is no information available for Europe, where it is still uncertain whether the Cybertruck will be sold.
