Elon Musk shocked podcaster Joe Rogan with claims his next car will fly.
The billionaire CEO dropped the latest round of bold claims on Rogan’s podcast today, teasing an ‘unforgettable’ demo of the long–delayed electric supercar before the end of the year.
But for Tesla followers, the specific project is long–awaited and short on deliveries. Instead, the admission could indicate the technologies the world’s richest people are hoping to make.
Musk is now promising the retooled Roadster — Tesla’s original car that hasn’t been in production since 2012 — will fly, because fellow billionaire Peter Thiel wants a flying vehicle.
That’s a huge departure from previous Roadster press releases.
Tesla first unveiled the next–generation successor back in 2017, and billed it as a record–smashing EV that could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds and travel 620 miles on a charge.
Production was supposed to start in 2020. It was delayed multiple times while the company continued accepting deposits of as much as $50,000 for the thrill–seeking vehicle.
And, in 2025, it still hasn’t reached the market.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s outspoken CEO, just said his company is working on flight technology for the Roadster, and that the automaker will have a press unveil soon
Tesla has been promising the Roadster since 2017 – and taking deposits on the high–powered vehicle
Still, Musk insists the car’s next unveiling is ‘getting close,’ and said a press event with the flying car will land before the end of the year.
During the three–hour podcast, he spent a few minutes trying to sell Rogan on the Cybertruck before Rogan cut in to ask: ‘What about the Roadster?’
‘Oh, that’s coming,’ Musk replied before coyly adding a few vague details.
‘We’re going to do something really special with that. It’s going to be the most memorable product unveil ever.’
Rogan asked him for more information after they turned off the recording equipment.
This isn’t the first time Musk has floated the idea. Back in 2018, he teased a ‘SpaceX package’ for the Roadster that would use cold–air thrusters — actual rocket tech — to boost performance, improve handling, and maybe even ‘hover’ for short bursts.
Independent analysts tell the Daily Mail that Tesla needs fresh new products.
The Cybertruck, the vehicle that Musk hoped would take a bite out of Ford’s F–150 pickup sales, has fallen badly behind sales expectations.
Podcaster Joe Rogan pushed Musk to answer questions about the Roadster on today’s episode
The Roadster – Tesla’s first vehicle – was a reskinned Lotus Elise sportscar with a high-poweres battery pack bolted to the car’s underbelly. It was an important vehicle for Tesla, proving the company could make desirable electric vehicles with shocking speed
Tesla’s angular truck only sold just over 5,000 units in the past three months.
Meanwhile, other Tesla best–sellers –– the Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan –– reached sales records at the same time.
However, analysts tell the Daily Mail that this is likely due to the federal government’s decision to eliminate the federal tax credit on September 30.
Tesla’s largest win this year has been in self-driving technology. The company now has autonomous vehicles carting ride-hailing passengers in Texas and California.
