Currently reading: Report: Tesla delays robotaxi launch until October

Redesign is said to have forced the postponement of the autonomous 'Cybercab' unveiling

Tesla has delayed the unveiling of its autonomous ‘Cybercab’ taxi from August to October, Bloomberg has reported.

The covers were originally due to be lifted on the new car, developed specifically for ride-hailing, on 8 August.

The postponement comes after Tesla designers were asked to restyle the car, requiring extra time to build more prototypes, according to Bloomberg.

Autocar has contacted Tesla for comment.

The long-mooted taxi had become the focal point of Tesla’s upcoming launches, after Reuters reported that the entry-level ‘Model 2’ EV had been axed.

The 'Model 2' was tipped to be priced at less than £25,000, rivalling the BYD Dolphin, Renault 5 and Volkswagen ID 2.

Reuters reported that the car’s platform would instead be used to underpin the robotaxi, citing three sources familiar with the matter and Tesla’s internal communications.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk denied the report, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that “Reuters is lying (again)”.

Musk later said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call that it had “accelerated the launch of new models”, implying a new car could arrive on the market by early 2025.

“These new vehicles, including more affordable models, will use aspects of the next-generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up,” said Musk. 

Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Editorial assistant, Autocar

As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events. He’s also a regular contributor to its social media channels, providing videos for Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter.

Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association.

Charlie is the proud owner of a Fiat Panda 100HP, which he swears to be the best car in the world. Until it breaks.

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Andrew1 12 July 2024
What's the purpose of citing the Reuters story which has been denied by the company?
xxxx 12 July 2024

Might have noticed I was a Tesla advocate up until a year of so ago, I even made money on the shares, but, I this can't be the way forward for a commercial car company that needs a high sale volume to continue to make profits.

Sales of the 3 and Y have peaked, the X and S may as well be dropped altogher for all the revenue they generate and the Cypertruck is niche. The answer is not a over hyped robotaxi it's update the S, drop the X and bring out a Model 2 and maybe a smaller proper truck.

Peter Cavellini 12 July 2024
xxxx wrote:

Might have noticed I was a Tesla advocate up until a year of so ago, I even made money on the shares, but, I this can't be the way forward for a commercial car company that needs a high sale volume to continue to make profits.

Sales of the 3 and Y have peaked, the X and S may as well be dropped altogher for all the revenue they generate and the Cypertruck is niche. The answer is not a over hyped robotaxi it's update the S, drop the X and bring out a Model 2 and maybe a smaller proper truck.

Where would Tesla be without Musk though?, I feel he's turning cars, transport into white goods( not a racist statement) just does its job quietly and as efficiently as possible.

xxxx 12 July 2024
Peter Cavellini wrote:

xxxx wrote:

Might have noticed I was a Tesla advocate up until a year of so ago, I even made money on the shares, but, I this can't be the way forward for a commercial car company that needs a high sale volume to continue to make profits.

Sales of the 3 and Y have peaked, the X and S may as well be dropped altogher for all the revenue they generate and the Cypertruck is niche. The answer is not a over hyped robotaxi it's update the S, drop the X and bring out a Model 2 and maybe a smaller proper truck.

Where would Tesla be without Musk though?, I feel he's turning cars, transport into white goods( not a racist statement) just does its job quietly and as efficiently as possible.

Your comment has no relevance to my post so why quote it.

Peter Cavellini 14 July 2024
xxxx wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

xxxx wrote:

Might have noticed I was a Tesla advocate up until a year of so ago, I even made money on the shares, but, I this can't be the way forward for a commercial car company that needs a high sale volume to continue to make profits.

Sales of the 3 and Y have peaked, the X and S may as well be dropped altogher for all the revenue they generate and the Cypertruck is niche. The answer is not a over hyped robotaxi it's update the S, drop the X and bring out a Model 2 and maybe a smaller proper truck.

Where would Tesla be without Musk though?, I feel he's turning cars, transport into white goods( not a racist statement) just does its job quietly and as efficiently as possible.

Your comment has no relevance to my post so why quote it.

First paragraph second line, this was relevant because?, I'd be interested in Musk's opinion on his take to Tesla.

xxxx 14 July 2024

In other words no relevance.