Analyst Eamonn Sheridan stated that Tesla (TSLA.O) has finally unveiled the long-awaited new Roadster, equipped with thrusters developed by SpaceX (SPCX.O) that allow the vehicle to flip in mid-air. Buyers will not only need substantial financial resources—securing a spot on the waiting list is costly. Tesla requires a $5,000 deposit, followed by another $45,000 within 10 days, bringing the total upfront payment to $50,000; higher-spec versions require a $250,000 deposit. Buyers must also have considerable patience, as mass production is not expected to begin until 2028, and the delivery timeline remains a major question mark.
For investors, the Roadster is more of a brand-building tool than a driver of company performance. Musk himself has downplayed its financial importance to the company; one stock analyst estimates annual Roadster sales at around 2,000 units, representing only a small fraction of Tesla's total sales of 1.6 million vehicles last year. Tesla's valuation hinges more on its progress in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and robotics, including the Cybercab Robotaxi and the Optimus humanoid robot.
Therefore, the Roadster is more of a "halo product": designed to showcase the company's engineering ambitions and keep the brand in the spotlight rather than substantially boosting profitability. The real test for this car will come in 2028, when Tesla will be able to turn a stunt car into a road-ready production vehicle on schedule. Given its history of repeated delays, investors should perhaps wait until they see the car delivered before deciding whether to trust this promise.
