Tesla enthusiasts and deposit holders awaiting the highly anticipated Roadster faced yet another delay during Tesla’s Earnings Call on Wednesday night.
CEO Elon Musk and Tesla executives acknowledged the Roadster’s indefinite timeline, adding little clarity beyond an optimistic mention of design finalisations while avoiding a concrete launch date.
This continues a long series of postponements for the electric sports car, which was originally unveiled as a prototype in 2017.
The Roadster, initially promised for delivery in 2020, has since been consistently sidelined. Musk and Tesla have argued that their focus on mass-market vehicles such as the Model 3, Model Y, and the forthcoming next-generation platform serves the company’s mission to accelerate global sustainability more effectively.
Yet, for Tesla’s core fanbase, the ongoing delays are testing patience, especially for those who have held deposits for years with little to show for their wait.
During the earnings call, Musk thanked these loyal deposit holders, referring to the Roadster as “not just the cherry on the cake but also the icing on the cake.”
He acknowledged that Tesla is “close to finalising the design,” an update that was nonetheless bereft of a launch commitment.
According to Musk, the upcoming Roadster will remain a spectacular, niche product, including its once-teased hovering capability.
“I’d like to thank our long-suffering deposit holders. The Roadster will be something spectacular,” Musk said. “My friend Peter Thiel was lamenting we don’t have flying cars. Well…more to come.”
However, despite these statements, industry observers note a repeated pattern in Tesla’s handling of Roadster announcements.
Every year, some indication of progress emerges, often couched with hints of a production timeline that, thus far, has never materialised.
Earlier in 2023, Musk suggested production could start by the end of 2024. However, the most recent update acknowledges that timeline is unlikely, with a loose projection now extending to 2025.
For many Tesla followers, this marks the first semblance of transparency regarding Roadster’s indefinite status in Tesla’s immediate plans.
Tesla’s current strategy, which prioritises next-gen, mass-market vehicles, has garnered support on Wall Street, where consistent production volumes and higher margins are critical to maintaining investor confidence.
Analysts agree that an exclusive model like the Roadster serves Tesla’s branding and luxury image but has minimal impact on the company’s bottom line compared to high-demand models like the Model Y.
While it’s likely to generate significant buzz upon eventual release, the Roadster remains a lower priority in Tesla’s immediate roadmap.
“We want to deliver on our mission, and that means focusing on projects with a broader impact,” a Tesla executive noted. Meanwhile, deposit holders will have to continue waiting for the Roadster’s arrival as the company doubles down on initiatives that promise wider consumer reach and scale.
In the face of yet another delay, industry experts suggest that until the vehicle is ready to move forward, Tesla would do well to issue fewer ambiguous updates.
For now, Tesla’s focus remains on high-volume models, which align with its broader business objectives and are likely to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the electric vehicle market.
