Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will finally begin production of the Tesla Roadster, with shipments expected to start next year. This electric sports car was first unveiled back in 2017 with a promised 0-60 time of under one second. After years of delays, Musk has confirmed that the production design is complete and the car will be unveiled later this year. However, as competition in the Supercar market heats up, with the recent release of BYD’s u9 and NEO’s ep9, the question remains whether the Tesla Roadster will be able to compete, especially with a price tag of $200,000. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the latest updates on the Tesla Roadster, the company’s plans for production, and how it compares to its competition.
Production Design Completed, Unveiling Scheduled for Later This Year
Musk announced the latest updates on the Tesla Roadster via Twitter. On June 9th, he tweeted that the production design was complete and that the company would be unveiling the car later this year. He also confirmed that deliveries would start in 2022. This news comes after years of delays, leaving some skeptics wondering if the Tesla Roadster would ever make it to production. The car was first introduced back in 2017 with a promised 0-60 time of under one second, making it the fastest car ever made.
Deposit Holders Anxiously Awaiting Deliveries
The Tesla Roadster’s production delay has not deterred early deposit holders, who have put down a $5,000 deposit to secure their spot in line for the vehicle. Some deposit holders have even put down a whopping $250,000 for the Founder’s Series, which will feature a limited edition model. However, as production dates have been pushed back, some Tesla enthusiasts are growing impatient.
Competition Heats Up Among the Supercar Market
As competition among Supercar manufacturers heats up, the Tesla Roadster will have some stiff competition to face. Earlier this week, BYD released its u9 Supercar, which is expected to cost around $230,000, the same price point as the promising Tesla Roadster. The BYD u9 boasts scissor doors and four motors, offering impressive specs. Similarly, NEO has announced its ep9 hypercar, expected to cost $3 million, with a staggering 1,000 horsepower and interchangeable batteries. These Chinese Supercar makers are coming on strong, with these cars set to hit the road later this year in China.
Can Tesla’s Roadster Compete?
While early adopters and Tesla enthusiasts remain eager for the Tesla Roadster’s arrival, the question remains whether the car can compete with its competition. With a price point of $200,000, the Tesla Roadster is not a cheap vehicle by any means. It remains to be seen whether the Tesla Roadster’s impressive specs will be enough to sway potential buyers away from Supercar competitors, such as the BYD u9 and NEO ep9.
Lower Priced EVs Needed for Growth
Ultimately, while the Tesla Roadster is an exciting development, it is not a vehicle that will move the needle for the EV market. In order to reignite growth in this market, lower-priced electric vehicles are needed. While Halo cars, such as the Tesla Roadster, can bring consumers into showrooms, ultimately it will be the lower priced models that will increase adoption and sales.
Hot Take: What Does the Future Hold for the Tesla Roadster?
The Tesla Roadster has been a long-awaited addition to Tesla’s line-up. With production design complete and the car set to be unveiled later this year, early deposit holders and Tesla enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting its arrival. However, as competition in the Supercar market heats up, it remains to be seen whether the Tesla Roadster can compete. With a price point of $200,000, it is not a cheap vehicle, and it will likely face stiff competition from other Supercar manufacturers. Ultimately, while the Tesla Roadster is an exciting new development, it will not move the needle for the EV market. Lower-priced electric vehicles are needed for growth in this market, and it will be interesting to see how Tesla responds to this challenge.
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