Tesla Schedules Next-Generation Roadster Demonstration After Years of Delays

The planned presentation at a SpaceX test site in Texas follows nearly a decade of missed production targets and high-concept engineering promises.

By The Company WireOctober 15, 2026 at 9:26 PM UTC3 min read

Tesla — Tesla Schedules Next-Generation Roadster Demonstration After Years of Delays. Photo: CNBC Business.

Tesla is scheduled to present its long-delayed next-generation Roadster during a live demonstration on Thursday from a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, according to reporting by CNBC Business (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/15/tesla-roadster-reveal-what-to-know-about-the-delayed-ev.html). The presentation is set to begin at 7:55 p.m. local time (8:55 p.m. ET), following a previously planned October 1 event that was canceled because of weather conditions. Federal Aviation Administration filings confirm a temporary no-fly zone established around the site near Waco.

The electric carmaker first unveiled the refreshed Roadster concept in November 2017 and began collecting $50,000 deposits from prospective buyers. Chief Executive Elon Musk later promoted an optional SpaceX-engineered package featuring approximately 10 cold gas thrusters designed to boost acceleration, braking, and brief hovering capabilities. However, Tesla repeatedly missed projected delivery dates, including a target demonstration Musk had indicated for late 2025.

The extended delays prompted frustration among early reservation holders. Lawrence O'Connor, founder and chief executive of Other World Computing, told CNBC Business that his $250,000 deposit for a Founder's Edition reservation in November 2017 effectively served as an interest-free loan to the automaker. Other reservation holders, including OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman, publicly requested and received refunds after waiting more than seven years.

Tesla recently reopened reservations for the vehicle across the United States, Canada, and China with $50,000 deposit requirements. Executives are expected to share pricing, technical specifications, and production timelines during Thursday's event. While the high-end vehicle represents a prominent engineering showcase, the low-volume model is not anticipated to have a material financial impact on Tesla, which is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday.