Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased three new autos throughout his presentation on the firm’s annual shareholder assembly on Thursday — yet one more than what he confirmed off through the Grasp Plan Half 3 occasion final yr.
In a slide exhibiting the corporate’s present lineup — Fashions S, X, 3, Y, the Tesla Semi, and Cybertruck — three shrouded autos have been additionally included.
“Clearly we’ve bought some new merchandise that we’re engaged on underneath the covers,” Musk mentioned. “I feel these are going to be fairly particular.”
“Clearly we’ve bought some new merchandise that we’re engaged on underneath the covers.”
And that was principally it. No different particulars have been divulged. Certain, Musk was in a giddy temper contemplating his shareholders simply handed him a victory by reapproving his monumental $50 billion compensation package deal. However even the world’s most hyperbolic CEO stayed tight-lipped about what was within the pipeline.
So let’s speculate. A type of autos might be the robotaxi, which Musk has mentioned will get a correct reveal on August eighth. He even gave it a brand new title throughout a latest earnings name: “Cybercab.”
Which one do we expect is the robotaxi? I’m guessing it’s the one on the far proper, closest to the Cybertruck. Musk goes to need to pair his two most futuristic autos collectively like two low-poly peas in a pod.
However then once more, possibly the robotaxi is the extra van-shaped car on the left. If that is Tesla’s first purpose-built autonomous car, the one made for the ridehailing community that Musk has described as a cross between Uber and Airbnb, wouldn’t they need one thing a bit extra excessive capability — one thing that may squeeze in additional passengers than a Mannequin Y? Waymo’s first robotaxi was a Chrysler Pacifica minivan. It might be fairly hilarious if Tesla adopted swimsuit by introducing its personal robotic van.
Throughout the presentation, a shareholder requested Musk whether or not he would make a extra excessive quantity electrical van with sufficient room for 13 passengers. Musk laughed and mentioned he would “add it to my checklist.”
Tesla has dropped hints a few van earlier than. In its Grasp Plan Half Deux, the corporate mentioned it was creating “excessive passenger-density city transport” and likewise recommended that autonomous buses could possibly be deployed. I occur to assume each of these concepts are totally lifeless given Musk’s infamous disdain for public transportation. However in Grasp Plan Half 3, the corporate lists “bus” and “industrial/passenger vans” as “TBD.” So possibly it’s not lifeless?
So, if the robotaxi is on the best and the boxy car on the left is a few type of van, what’s that car within the higher left? May or not it’s the long-awaited refreshed Tesla Roadster? Or is it some type of compact, extra reasonably priced “Mannequin 2”?
The saga of the Mannequin 2 — a reputation that Musk has by no means confirmed — has been a rollercoaster. Tesla bulls and traders have been attempting to will it into existence for years, regardless that Musk has by no means actually been totally on board. Even way back to the Grasp Plan Half Deux (launched in 2016), Musk mentioned {that a} lower-cost car cheaper than the Mannequin 3 “is unlikely to be mandatory.”
Earlier this yr, Musk was principally bullied by traders into recommitting to the Mannequin 2, promising lower-cost fashions within the years to come back. However the man is clearly bored with working a automotive firm.
To him, AI and robots are the long run. Throughout yesterday’s presentation, he spent a number of minutes excitedly discussing Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots — whereas barely paying lip service to the corporate’s precise vehicular merchandise. In his thoughts, Tesla’s future received’t be rolling on 4 wheels however, moderately, strolling on two legs.