AUTO · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Former Tesla President Blames SpaceX 'Hovering' Tech for Roadster Delay
WHY IT MATTERS
The potential Tesla‑SpaceX alignment could accelerate shared tech development and reshape the electric‑vehicle market, affecting investors and consumers alike.
What happened
Jon McNeill, who led Tesla as president from 2015 to 2018 and now heads DVx Ventures, says the long‑delayed next‑generation Roadster is held up by SpaceX’s “hovering” technology. According to McNeill, the project is really about pulling Tesla and SpaceX closer together ahead of a potential merger.
Tesla is preparing a long‑promised Roadster demo that is nearly nine years after the car was first unveiled. McNeill’s comments hint that the delay may be a strategic move to align the two companies’ road‑to‑market plans, though the exact impact on production timelines remains unclear.
The move could signal a deeper partnership that might reshape Tesla’s high‑performance lineup and SpaceX’s automotive ambitions.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Ex-Tesla president: Roadster delay is about getting closer to SpaceX ahead of merger
Electrek · Fred Lambert · Discovery only; publisher copyright terms apply