Elon Musk told shareholders on November 6 that Tesla is targeting April 1, 2026 for the production-spec Roadster debut. If that timeline holds, he added the car would begin production 12 to 18 months after the reveal. He also said Cybercab robotaxi production will kick off in April 2026 at Gigafactory Texas.

History suggests a careful reading of the fine print. The second-gen Roadster first broke cover in 2017, and projected launch windows have slipped again and again. Musk even joked about keeping “some deniability” since April 1 lands on April Fools Day. He promised a Roadster that is very different from the original concept and hinted at wild tech that edges into sci-fi territory, including lofty talk about flight capabilities. Big claims are part of Tesla’s brand, but the company still needs to show a finished car and a clear path to production.

The Cybercab update is just as bold. Musk described a build process more like consumer electronics than traditional carmaking, with subassemblies coming together late in the line. He floated eye-popping throughput, claiming the setup could theoretically produce a Cybercab every 10 seconds, with the possibility of millions per year. Tesla’s stated goal remains a fully self-driving vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, though regulatory realities could require conventional controls at launch.

Takeaways for shoppers and investors are straightforward. If Tesla locks in the Roadster reveal this spring, the earliest production window stretches into late 2027, perhaps 2028. Cybercab production in 2026 would mark Tesla’s most aggressive push yet into purpose-built autonomy. Until then, all eyes are on whether April brings more prototypes or a genuine production story.