Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the upcoming Roadster will be the company’s last manually driven model. The statement comes as Tesla continues to shift its focus toward fully autonomous vehicles across its range, positioning the new Roadster as a unique offering in its future lineup.
Musk’s comments were made during Tesla’s latest earnings call, where he highlighted the company’s plan to develop a lineup consisting almost entirely of autonomous vehicles. The new Roadster, however, will stand apart as the sole driver-focused car for those who still value a traditional driving experience. This places the model in a distinctive spot as the brand increasingly prioritizes autonomy over driver engagement.
Despite its initial reveal in 2017 and promises of a 2020 launch, the second-generation Roadster remains in the design development phase. Recent shareholder documents indicate that production plans are still undecided, with no specific manufacturing facility announced. The model has repeatedly missed projected timelines, and its status continues to be listed as “Design Development,” suggesting a significant wait remains before any production vehicles are delivered.
When first unveiled, the Roadster was positioned as a high-performance electric sports car, intended to showcase Tesla’s capabilities at the extreme end of performance and technology. Musk has described it as potentially “the last best driver’s car,” reinforcing its role as a halo product. However, the lack of tangible progress and continued delays have led to skepticism about whether the vehicle will ever meet its ambitious claims.
The decision to make the Roadster Tesla’s last manually driven car reflects both a strategic pivot and a nod to enthusiasts. As the brand doubles down on autonomy, the Roadster’s future appears increasingly symbolic—a statement piece rather than a volume seller. The repeated postponements have turned the model into a kind of industry myth, with each delay making its arrival less certain. For now, the Roadster represents the tension between Tesla’s bold vision for autonomy and the enduring appeal of driver involvement. Whether it will serve as a true swan song for manual driving in the electric era remains to be seen, but its development will be closely watched by both fans and skeptics alike.
