] 2019-2020 With no new noise to suggest the Roadster was on the way, it started to grow clear that Tesla wasn’t going to deliver on Musk’s promise. It’s a bit of a running trend for ol’ Elon: make a big promise, realize how difficult it actually is to deliver on that promise, and then set a new deadline. In 2019, Tesla started making noise about the off-road post apocalyptic self-driving sardine tin truck, the Cybertruck. That was enough to divert attention away from the fact that we were still waiting for our goddam Roadster! Last year, in a blow to those clamoring for the sports car, Musk said he would prioritize Cybertruck production over the Roadster. Given the Cybertruck was only unveiled at the end of 2019, it pushed the Roadster into an even more distant future. 2021 At the end of January 2021 Musk cemented that timeline in a tweet responding to the question: what happened to the Roadster? In the tweet, Musk says that engineering is being finished this year, with production due to start in 2022. There’s no talk about when homologation process and type approval will come though, as those are usually solid indicators that a new car isn’t too far away. Finishing engineering this year, production starts next year. Aiming to have release candidate design drivable late summer. Tri-motor drive system & advanced battery work were important precursors.