Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk has recently shared insights regarding the emphasis and design focus of the forthcoming Tesla Roadster, underscoring its role as a vehicle centered primarily on extreme performance rather than safety. In a detailed conversation with entrepreneur Peter Diamandis on Tuesday, Musk provided clarifications on the anticipated sports car, signaling a clear intent to deliver a thrilling driving experience distinct from other considerations.
When prompted about the importance of safety aspects in the Roadster's design, Musk stated candidly, "It will be a cool demo," reinforcing that safety is not the foremost objective of the vehicle. He further articulated this stance by making parallels with Italian luxury sports car makers such as Ferrari. According to Musk, those vehicles prioritize elevated performance, a standard to which Tesla's Roadster aspires.
He added, "If safety is your number one goal, don't buy the Roadster," establishing a clear positioning of the car as a performance-driven machine tailored for enthusiasts rather than those primarily seeking the safest car on the market. This statement reflects a somewhat unorthodox approach compared to the broader industry trend where safety is frequently a paramount feature in vehicle development.
Beyond performance and safety, Musk was queried about the possibility of the Roadster utilizing hover capabilities. He replied only that such information remains "classified." Nevertheless, Tesla has previously filed a patent describing an active aerodynamic system designed to manage airflow through integrated fans, potentially generating downforce. Notably, the patent details suggest that the system might even enable hovering functionalities, though no further details on implementation or availability have been provided.
Musk also characterized the Roadster as "the best of the last of the human-driven cars," highlighting its significance in the context of a rapidly evolving automotive industry increasingly adopting self-driving technologies. This suggests that Tesla views the Roadster as a culminating product showcasing traditional driving dynamics and driver engagement prior to the ascendancy of autonomous vehicles.
The company's recent hiring efforts further indicate progress toward bringing the Roadster to market. A job listing published in October sought personnel with experience pertinent to Roadster production, potentially signaling that Tesla is advancing the vehicle toward its anticipated launch.
Despite sustained interest, the Tesla Roadster has also encountered scrutiny. OpenAI founder Sam Altman publicly criticized Tesla, asserting the company had delayed refunding the $50,000 he paid to reserve the Roadster. In response, Musk clarified that the refund was processed within 24 hours after the issue arose, disputing Altman's claim. Similarly, well-known technology YouTuber Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, reportedly canceled one of his two Roadster reservations that had been held for over eight years, having made a $50,000 reservation payment.
While the Tesla Roadster's future launch draws closer, Tesla's broader fourth-quarter vehicle delivery results revealed a shortfall relative to market and analyst expectations. The company delivered 418,227 vehicles during the period, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 16%. This figure fell short of consensus estimates, which coalesced around approximately 445,000 units, according to investor Gary Black.
Examining Tesla's stock performance and financial metrics, the company excels in Momentum and Quality criteria, while its Valuation metrics lag behind competitors. Price trends remain positive in the short, medium, and long term, pointing to a favorable market reception despite certain operational challenges.
Tesla’s share price settled at $432.96 by market close, representing a decline of 4.14%. However, after-hours trading indicated a slight upward movement, with shares rising 0.46%, according to Benzinga Pro data.