2024, finally the year of the Tesla Roadster?

Promised since 2017, Tesla’s new electric Roadster is desperately awaited. The American manufacturer is cornered.

The practice is repeated, but on an astonishing scale: asking for a $50,000 (45,600 euros) deposit to place a reservation. Tesla has become a master at making customers pay not just for a limited ticket, but for a privileged position in the delivery queue. Without there being any verification. The Cybertruck episode proved this: some customers placed a reservation as early as 2019 for a $39,900 pickup and will only be among the first to receive it if they agree… to pay for the launch version at $130,000. The unlucky, you count yourselves!

In the case of the Cybertruck, the reservation fee was modest: $100 (then $250 a few months later). For the Roadster, also delayed indefinitely since 2017, the deposit is therefore $5000 right away, then another $45,000 within 10 days.

At Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or others, the process is similar, but for products with confidential production and known delivery dates. Tesla is beginning to tire, especially since the competition (much more prestigious) now knows how to produce “electric rockets” of 2000 horsepower and accelerate to 100 km/h in under 2 seconds.

So what will this new Tesla bring? Elon Musk is caught in his trap of promising wonders, although his business is ultimately quite popular. The sales mix for 2023 proves it: 98% of sold cars are Model 3 and Y at $50,000. Whether in the USA, China, or Europe.

Trying to straddle the gap between a $25,000 car and a supercar at $250,000, Tesla would be the first manufacturer to solve such an equation…

So why such a delay for the Tesla Roadster? Tesla has other more urgent issues to address. The house of cards remains fragile, and it’s best not to use all your aces too quickly. 2024 might be the right time to make headlines, especially since, apart from updating the Model Y, there probably won’t be much news for the American manufacturer. Another reason is based on a promise: a 200 kWh battery capable of providing a 1000 km range. However, producing a sports car with this feature in its technical sheet is not simple.

Will Elon Musk’s storytelling work again? There will surely be media buzz. As for the rest, “you can fool once a thousand people…”