Jon McNeill, the former Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) President of Global Sales and Service, has said that the upcoming Roadster demonstration could be more than a product reveal, arguing the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX)-powered sports car may signal deeper convergence between Elon Musk’s two biggest companies.
Roadster Demo Could Showcase SpaceX Thrusters
Speaking to CNBC on Monday, McNeill said the SpaceX-thruster idea dates to the Roadster’s earliest brainstorming in 2016. "I don’t know if we’re going to see flying, but we may see hovering in this demo," he said.
A report last Friday revealed that Tesla could unveil the redesigned Roadster as early as August at SpaceX’s McGregor, Texas, test site, with a limited-edition model using cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX. Tesla has not announced a date. Its public Roadster page lists 1.9-second 0-to-60-mph acceleration, a top speed above 250 mph and 620 miles of range.
The Roadster has been delayed repeatedly since Tesla unveiled the second-generation prototype in 2017. Musk recently revived expectations by describing the car’s technology as "crazy, crazy," while earlier coverage noted he has said the SpaceX package could let it "fly very briefly."
McNeill said the spectacle could address an immediate challenge. "Elon recognizes that Tesla needs to inject some energy and excitement back into the car business, and the Roadster is a natural way to do that," he told CNBC.
McNeill Sees Tesla SpaceX Futures Converging
He also sees a broader strategic signal, calling the collaboration a "probably not-so-hidden attempt to further knit Tesla and SpaceX’s futures together." Speculation about a combination has intensified as both companies deepen investments in AI, chips, autonomy and robotics.
McNeill linked that possibility to Musk’s financial incentives. "Elon’s got hundreds of millions of reasons to do this," he said. "These two businesses are going to come together, probably sooner rather than later." Recent analysis of Musk’s Tesla compensation package has examined how a potential merger could affect his performance award.
Cybercab Rollout Adds Another Autonomy Milestone
Tesla is preparing another autonomy milestone. Reuters reported Monday that the company could begin Cybercab rides for employees on Austin public roads this month before adding the steering-wheel-free vehicle to its commercial robotaxi service days later.
Tesla said in its second-quarter update that Cybercab production had begun and manufacturing would scale this year. The Roadster, by contrast, remains a promise waiting for its defining demonstration.
Benzinga Edge Rankings place Tesla stock in the 55th percentile for Quality, with its short-, medium- and long-term price trends all remaining negative.
Price Action: Tesla stock was trading 1.52% lower at $334.15 in pre-market trading on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy: Paulm1993 / Shutterstock
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