Tesla CEO Elon Musk is known for making bold promises, but many of his big ideas have taken longer than expected to become a reality. Musk himself has admitted that he’s “pathologically optimistic” and believes that delivering in the end is what matters most.
Here’s a look at some of Musk’s promises that were delayed, and others that are still not complete:
Self-Driving Cars
Musk first promised self-driving cars in 2015, saying they would be ready in just three years. But the cars still aren’t fully autonomous. Since 2020, he has promised almost every year that Tesla cars would achieve full self-driving capabilities. In 2023, Musk even joked that he was the “boy who cried FSD,” acknowledging his missed deadlines. Tesla plans to release a version of the self-driving feature in California this year, but no specific date has been given.
Affordable Tesla Car
In 2020, Musk promised an affordable Tesla for around $25,000. However, the car was never released. In 2023, reports revealed that Tesla had canceled plans for the new low-cost car. Instead, the company now plans to make more affordable versions of its existing cars, with new models expected to arrive in early 2025. But production might be delayed by several months.
Read More: Elon Musk Accused of Ignoring Safety – Tesla Whistleblower Speaks Out!
Robotaxi (Cybercab)
In 2019, Musk said Tesla would have self-driving “robotaxis” on the road by 2020. But now, in October 2024, he says the robotaxi, called the Cybercab, will start production in 2026. The rollout of this project could face delays, as Tesla has paused some imports from China due to higher tariffs.
Cybertruck
Musk introduced the Cybertruck in 2019 and promised production would begin in late 2021. However, production didn’t start until 2023.
Also See: Tesla Brake Concerns: Engineer Claims Musk Used Deportation Threats to Silence Team
Next-Generation Electric Sports Car
Tesla also promised a new version of its Roadster sports car in 2020. But the launch was pushed back to 2023 due to supply chain problems. Now, Musk says Tesla hopes to begin production of the long-delayed Roadster in 2024.
Many of Musk’s promises have taken longer than expected, but he continues to work on bringing these projects to life.
