The Roadster was originally unveiled in November 2017 with dramatic performance claims—0–60 mph in under two seconds and a 620-mile range—and a quoted launch date of 2020. Production has repeatedly been deferred with few concrete updates, and Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, indicated the car could be delivered as late as end of 2027 if all goes to plan.
Altman’s cancellation gains added weight given his profile in the artificial-intelligence industry and his often-public positioning as a peer of Tesla founder Elon Musk. Industry observers say the move casts fresh attention on longstanding complaints from Roadster reservation holders about delayed delivery and opacity from Tesla regarding refunds. Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, similarly cancelled one of his two Roadster reservations after nearly eight years, citing difficult refund procedures.
Tesla’s public commentary on the Roadster has remained sparse. Musk described it as “the cherry on the icing of the cake,” signalling that other vehicles and technologies are taking precedence. In the earthquake zone of electric-vehicle launches, the Roadster has been repeatedly cited yet not delivered, leaving deposit holders in limbo. According to coverage, Altman’s screenshot shows an original payment confirmation from Tesla in 2018, followed by a refund request which was met with an “address not found” error when sent to Tesla’s reservations email.
The booking landscape offers insight. In 2017, Tesla accepted reservation deposits of US $50,000 for the Roadster. Over the years, multiple cancellation attempts by depositors have emerged, with refund processes reportedly obscure and slow. Brownlee’s experience included making repeated phone calls and receiving the refund only after several weeks. Without a firm production launch date, some deposit holders now weigh the opportunity cost of holding funds tied up for years versus other investments.
In his post, Altman framed his decision partly in terms of time invested. The 7½-year wait contrasts with typical consumer or investor expectations in tech and automotive sectors, where launch delays of such magnitude are rare for high-profile products. Observers note that while Tesla has made progress in other areas—battery technology, mass-market vehicles, and energy solutions—the luxury supercar segment represented by the Roadster appears deprioritised. Sources indicate Musk has emphasised the company’s focus remains on scaling sustainable energy solutions, rather than niche high-end performance vehicles.
The timing of Altman’s cancellation is notable as Tesla’s public communications include subtle hints that the Roadster remains in “design development”. The possibility of a product demonstration by 2025 has been floated, yet firm delivery commitments remain elusive. Altman’s move thus serves to highlight the tension between consumer or investor patience and automaker cadence.
From Tesla’s perspective, the high reservation number may have provided early cash-flow benefits, but the long delay has generated reputational risk, particularly among influential figures like Altman and Brownlee. Industry analysts caution that such delays, while not unusual in cutting-edge automotive development, impose reputational costs when backed by high expectations and public announcements.
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