Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased three new automobiles 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 12 months.
In a slide displaying the corporate’s present lineup — Fashions S, X, 3, Y, the Tesla Semi, and Cybertruck — three shrouded automobiles had been additionally included.
“Clearly we’ve acquired some new merchandise that we’re engaged on below the covers,” Musk mentioned. “I feel these are going to be fairly particular.”
“Clearly we’ve acquired some new merchandise that we’re engaged on below the covers.”
And that was principally it. No different particulars had been divulged. Positive, Musk was in a giddy temper contemplating his shareholders simply handed him a victory by reapproving his huge $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 kind of automobiles might be the robotaxi, which Musk has mentioned will get a correct reveal on August eighth. He even gave it a brand new identify throughout a current 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 wish to pair his two most futuristic automobiles collectively like two low-poly peas in a pod.
However then once more, perhaps 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 could be fairly hilarious if Tesla adopted go well with by introducing its personal robotic van.
In the course of 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 listing.”
Tesla has dropped hints a couple of van earlier than. In its Grasp Plan Half Deux, the corporate mentioned it was growing “excessive passenger-density city transport” and in addition urged that autonomous buses could possibly be deployed. I occur to assume each of these concepts are absolutely 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 perhaps it’s not lifeless?
So, if the robotaxi is on the appropriate and the boxy car on the left is a few type of van, what’s that car within the higher left? Might 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 buyers have been attempting to will it into existence for years, regardless that Musk has by no means actually been absolutely 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 needed.”
Earlier this 12 months, Musk was principally bullied by buyers into recommitting to the Mannequin 2, promising lower-cost fashions within the years to come back. However the man is clearly uninterested in working a automobile 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.