Green Light for Cybertruck Flippers? Tesla Renewed the Order Agreement

The now Texas-based EV maker with engineering headquarters in California will not punish the lucky first Cybertruck owners for no longer selling their all-electric pickup trucks. The buyer's agreement has been updated.

Originally, Tesla included language that would have allowed it to sue the buying party for at least $50,000 or more for getting rid of their "first released in limited quantity" pickup truck or file for an injunctive relief that could have stopped the sale. That was the path the automaker wanted to follow in case the customer didn't ask about buying the vehicle back first.

We described this provision as smart, even though it is generally suited toward supercars and hypercars, not quirky-looking pickup trucks.

That clear contract condition could have protected interested buyers from overpaying for the vehicle while also securing an early batch of customers for the company that could have provided honest feedback. It would have also allowed Tesla to collect more useful data from those agreeing to share what their vehicles' sensors and onboard diagnostic tools recorded.

However, the renewed "Motor Vehicle Order Agreement" does not include any specificities surrounding the resale of a Cybertruck. In fact, it does not say anything about the vehicle any longer. That provision was eliminated entirely.

That tells us scalpers get the green light to flip their Cybertruck if they wish. Tesla aims to manufacture around 125,000 units in 2024, so the pickup truck isn't exactly what you would call a rare breed. The initial hype might be enough to warrant higher secondary market prices.

But as the enthusiasm wears off and the production numbers go up, Tesla's first pickup truck will be just another EV on the market. Given that Tesla's scope is to keep manufacturing costs under control and streamlined, it's improbable that this vehicle will have anything wild going on for it.

We don't know the full specs yet, but we can comfortably say that it won't give the Hummer Pickup a run for its money. Even the Rivian R1T might be safe, considering the last few videos we've seen. Apart from the angular exterior design, the Cybertruck doesn't seem to be the F-150 Lightning Raptor of the EV world. Tesla could've caused a dent in Ford's revenue, but that might not happen any longer.

Still, the disappearance of the abovementioned contract provision from the buyer's agreement doesn't necessarily mean that those taking delivery on November 30 won't have to adhere to some sort of novel contractual obligation.

The brand can modify the language without prior notice, as it did here. Those getting behind the Cybertruck's steering wheel at this month's end might have to spend time reading and signing a bunch of documents the general public and the media won't get to see.

However, be advised that the arbitration clause is still there and Tesla continues to make it hard to opt out. If you want to be able to sue the company or be part of a class action lawsuit, you need to send a written letter to a PO box in Fremont, California. The brand gives buyers 30 days after signing the buyer's agreement to do so. Otherwise, you'll be forced to deal with the American Arbitration Association and its rules for reaching a solution to a dispute.