Elon Musk takes out (again) the roadster from his hat before a complicated financial assessment

The enigmatic message published on July 14 on X (ex-Twitter) by Elon Musk has something to revive hopes. Therefore, around the Tesla Roadster. For example, Tesla’s boss indicated that he was leaving Tesla’s design studio. Consequently, adding: ” The most epic demo ever made by the end of the year. »

Nothing more precise. However, But for the faithful observers of the adventures of Tesla. For example, it is difficult not to see a wink (or yet another evocation) of the famous Tesla Roadster of second generation. Moreover, This model. For example, promised since 2017, announced elon musk takes out (again) for 2020, then 2022, then at the end of 2024 – and still so absent – regularly haunts Elon Musk’s social networks, especially when it needs a life buoy.

The roadster: 7 years of promise, zero car – Elon musk takes out (again)

The new generation roadster was presented with great fanfare in 2017. In addition, An electric supercar, capable of spraying all thermal competitors with a 0 to 100 km/h announced in 1.9 seconds, a top speed at more than 400 km/h and a range of 1,000 km. Consequently, The whole thing, for the modest sum of $ 200,000 … However, The most impatient have already paid the equivalent of 43. Therefore, 000 euros to reserve a copy of a model that does not exist.

Since then, the roadster has been an Arlesian. No technical specification, no rolling prototype, no crash test, no homologation. On the other hand. many thunderous statements: ” he will fly “(If SpaceX provides boosters),” It will be the best product ever designed by Tesla ». The promised specifications have even become completely eccentric with a 0 to 100 km/h under the second. But what should especially remember is: ” He’s ready, but we are waiting for the right time ». Except that this elon musk takes out (again) good time seems to be pushed back every year. We even thought the model purely. simply buried in the same way as the small model at less than 25,000 euros.

Why talk about the roadster now?

This tweet is very timely. Elon Musk publishes this message just a few days from the Conference of Financial Results in the second quarter. scheduled for July 23, where Tesla could display a new drop in sales and profitability. Chance of the calendar or umpteenth maneuver to make a diversion? We already have our little idea.

Even if some investors believe hard as iron that humanoid robotaxis and robots are now the future of the company. We must not be fooled. on the rest, Tesla crosses a delicate pass: drop in deliveries of the Y model (despite the renewal), flop of the cybertruck, growth promised to absent subscribers, lots of expenses, but few elon musk takes out (again) revenues …. the Tesla optimus or the robotaxis, although very media, remain very hypothetical in terms of production and source of income.

In this context. the roadster has a symbolic value: it is a way elon musk takes out (again) to turn the flame, to make you dream, to occupy the media space – without having to deliver anything. This is not the first time that Elon Musk has released the roadster from his hat as a disappointing. quarter approaches. Last year already, in February 2024, he announced a launch for “end of 2024” … without follow -up.

Electrek. who closely follows Tesla’s announcements, also recalls that the idea of an “epic demo” has already been used several times for other projects that have never seen the light of day.

Another prototype to save face?

The Tesla Roadster has always been a storytelling instrument. A concept car which is used to make shareholders wait and occupy the fans, without ever delivering anything. A kind of “vaporcar”, as we talk about vaporware in the world of software. While in 2024. Elon Musk began to speak of a flying vehicle, we elon musk takes out (again) have never seen it would be only the shadow of a photo or even a 3D projection to corroborate that the teams really worked on this project. All images are always those of the 2017 project.

If there is a demonstration. it may be the most “epic” of all, but surely not the most credible. For these announcements to be really taken seriously. it would have to have already crossed vehicles camouflaged in testing, otherwise it is elon musk takes out (again) only a prototype that can redo customers several years without anything.

However, there remains another possibility: Elon Musk may be talking about anything else … At the design studio. he could very well have seen a new Optimus robot or the final version of the cybercab. Elon Musk is a master in the art of fuzzy teasing and promises without maturity. His tweets are often enough to increase the course of action. which would come down to reassure investors on the nerves.