Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas is buzzing with activity as the company prepares to flip the switch on mass production for its autonomous future. Drone footage of the facility from this week captured the largest fleet of Cybercabs spotted to date, signaling that the factory is moving well beyond early prototypes and into serious manufacturing volume.
According to Giga Texas observer Joe Tegtmeyer (@JoeTegtmeyer), about 60 Cybercab units were seen staged in two groups within the outbound lot. "I saw about 60 of them in two groups in the outbound lot today … the largest grouping yet!" Tegtmeyer noted, suggesting that these vehicles could be destined for testing sites or early Robotaxi launch areas across the country.
Happy 8 April (Wednesday) at Giga Texas, especially for those wanting an update on Cybercabs … I saw about 60 of them in two groups in the outbound lot today … the largest grouping yet!
— Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 (@JoeTegtmeyer) April 8, 2026
Also, looks like at least some of these have white seats and most still have clearly… pic.twitter.com/mZbKH96bA7
Steering Wheels and the Regulatory Plan B
One of the most notable details in this latest sighting is the presence of clearly visible steering wheels in most of the units. While Tesla has previously also built units without any manual controls, these staged vehicles seem to be equipped for human intervention. This is likely a strategic move to meet current safety regulations in the short term.
Tesla has already confirmed it is willing to ship the Cybercab with a steering wheel and pedals if required by law. By including them now, Tesla can get the fleet on the road immediately to accumulate data and provide rides while waiting for federal approval to remove the controls entirely. Interestingly, although some seats in the footage appeared white, Tegtmeyer clarified that "the 'white' look is just very bright sun on the black" of the seats, confirming the interior remains consistent with earlier black-themed designs.
Staggered Wheels and Front-Wheel Drive
The units spotted this week also feature a curious wheel setup that caught the eye of enthusiasts. The front wheels use a simple black steel-style rim, while the rear wheels feature a more aerodynamic, silver-capped design. This visual difference likely stems from the Cybercab's staggered wheel setup, which uses larger tires in the rear to improve stability and aesthetics.
Because the Cybercab is rumored to be front-wheel drive, the front tires likely handle all the propulsion and steering torque, while the larger rear tires provide a solid anchor for the vehicle's unique teardrop silhouette. Using different rim styles during this ramp-up phase could also help engineers quickly distinguish between various tire specifications during durability testing. We've also recently seen inside the Cybercab's frunk, which houses a massive fluid reservoir, likely to support the car's extensive camera-washing system.
Preparing for the April Mass Production
The sighting of 60 units in the outbound lot is a massive jump from the handful of cars we saw just a few weeks ago. Tesla is slated to begin mass production of the Cybercab this month, and seeing this many "finished" units ready for transport suggests the line is moving at a steady clip.
As Tesla prepares to dominate the autonomous ride-hailing market, the Cybercab will serve as the specialized backbone of the network. Whether they launch with steering wheels or without, the sheer volume of cars now appearing at Giga Texas proves that Tesla is no longer just talking about the future — they are currently shipping it.
