Ex-Tesla President: Roadster Delay Tied to SpaceX Merger Plan

Tesla's long-delayed next-generation Roadster is being held up by the integration of SpaceX "hovering" technology, according to Jon McNeill, Tesla's president from 2015 to 2018, who suggests the project is a "not-so-hidden attempt" to merge Tesla and SpaceX [1]. This strategic move comes as Tesla's stock is down roughly 25% year-to-date, making it the worst performer among the "Magnificent Seven" [1].

Thrusters and Delays

The new Roadster, first unveiled in November 2017 with production promised for 2020, has been delayed at least nine times [1]. Original specifications claimed 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a top speed over 250 mph, and a 620-mile range, none of which required rocket thrusters [1]. The SpaceX package, an add-on teased by Elon Musk, was later introduced, claiming to cut the 0-60 time to approximately 1.1 seconds using cold-gas thrusters [1]. McNeill stated that a demonstration, which could show the car hovering, might happen soon [1]. Earlier plans for the demo, including racing up a magnetized ramp and driving upside down, were reportedly cut [1].

Tesla's head of design, Franz von Holzhausen, previously attributed Roadster delays to the company's focus on "mass electrification," noting that the Roadster is not a mass-market product [3]. However, McNeill frames the Roadster as a morale play to "inject some energy and excitement back into the car business" amidst a shrinking core auto business and intensifying competition [1, 2].

Merger Speculation

McNeill explicitly called the Roadster a "probably not-so-hidden attempt to further knit Tesla and SpaceX’s futures together," predicting the two companies "are going to come together, probably sooner rather than later" [1, 2]. He linked this possibility to Musk’s financial incentives, noting "Elon’s got hundreds of millions of reasons to do this" [2]. The cold-gas thruster system, internally code-named A71, is developed by SpaceX and points toward the ground to lift the car [1]. The upcoming demonstration is expected to be remotely operated without anyone inside, partly because the thrusters are loud enough to damage hearing [1].

What to watch

• Roadster demonstration: Monitor for the specific date and details of the promised Roadster demo, particularly any "hovering" capabilities [1].
• Tesla-SpaceX collaboration: Observe any further announcements or developments that indicate deeper integration or a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX [1, 2].
• Tesla's financial performance: Track Tesla's stock performance and auto business results, which provide the backdrop for these strategic moves [1].

The integration of SpaceX technology into the Roadster, and the associated delays, appear to serve a dual purpose: generating excitement for Tesla's automotive division and strategically aligning the two companies ahead of a potential merger, a move that could significantly impact both entities and their respective markets.