Tesla has quietly made another change to the rapidly evolving rollout of its new $59,990 Dual Motor AWD Cybertruck, which has seen a number of updates since its launch less than a week ago.
The latest updates is that the entry-level AWD Cybertruck is no longer eligible for Tesla’s referral program, removing the $1,000 referral discount that new buyers could previously apply at checkout. Updated referral program details now show that only the Cybertruck Premium AWD and Cyberbeast qualify for referral rewards and discounts.
The $59,990 variant remains eligible for loyalty benefits, but the removal from referrals indicates Tesla doesn’t need additional incentives to sell this trim.
Demand Is Driving the Change
Tesla has not publicly explained the decision, but the timing lines up with a wave of strong demand following the launch of the sub-$60K configuration.
As we told you earlier this week, delivery timelines for the Dual Motor AWD were already pushed back several months into September–October 2026, and Tesla has also since confirmed pricing will increase after February 28. Now, removing referral incentives further suggests the company is actively managing order volume rather than trying to stimulate it.
There have also been multiple reports from Tesla owners saying they quickly hit their annual referral limits, further supporting that demand is high for this trim.
That kind of activity points to a surge of organic interest — exactly the type of momentum Tesla typically allows to play out without incentives cutting into margins.
Protecting Margins While Demand Is Hot
From a business standpoint, the move makes sense. Between the lower starting price and strong early order activity, continuing to offer an additional $1,000 discount may have been unnecessary. Removing referral eligibility allows Tesla to preserve margins while still keeping higher-priced Cybertruck trims positioned as upgrade options with added incentives.
Momentum Continues — For Now
Taken together, the recent changes paint a consistent picture. Delivery dates slipping, a confirmed upcoming price increase, and now the removal of referral discounts all point toward stronger-than-expected demand for the $59,990 Cybertruck AWD.
The bigger question moving forward is whether Tesla can maintain that momentum once it raises the price of the Cybertruck AWD next month.
