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

**Published:** 2026-08-19T17:57:48.248Z  
**Topic:** Tesla  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/362bc5d7-27f7-497b-b195-5b608a0bf922

Tesla's next-gen Roadster delay is linked to SpaceX "hovering" tech, says former president Jon McNeill, signaling a potential merger between the companies.

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].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Product | Tesla Roadster (next-gen) |
| Key development | Delay attributed to SpaceX thruster integration |
| Strategic implication | Potential Tesla-SpaceX merger |
| Tesla stock performance | Down ~25% year-to-date [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.

## Sources
1. Electrek — [Ex-Tesla president: Roadster delay is about getting closer to SpaceX ahead of merger](https://electrek.co/2026/08/19/ex-tesla-president-roadster-delay-spacex-thrusters/)
2. Benzinga — [Former Tesla President Says Roadster Demo Could Be... - Benzinga](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/08/61267260/former-tesla-president-says-roadster-demo-could-be-a-not-so-hidden-attempt-to-knit-tsla-and-spcx-together-probably-sooner-rather-than-later)
3. Teslarati — [Tesla Roadster delayed as company focuses on 'mass electrification'](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-roadster-2023-delayed-again/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Ex-Tesla President: Roadster Delay Tied to SpaceX Merger Plan", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/362bc5d7-27f7-497b-b195-5b608a0bf922