The next-generation Tesla Roadster will be built in California at the company’s Fremont factory, Chief Executive Elon Musk said Wednesday on the company’s Q2 earnings call.
“We think, probably, also the Tesla Roadster, a future program, would also make sense in California,” Musk said during the call.
Introduced by surprise in 2017 and originally slated for production this year, the new Roadster has experienced delays. But, while giving a forward-looking description of Tesla’s facilities, Musk offered a hint of when to expect Roadster production.
“Just think about the next 12 to 18 months, we’ll have 3 new factories in place,” Musk said. “Things are looking great with Giga Berlin, and we’ll have Cybertruck, Semi, Roadster, Full Self-Driving. There’s so much to be excited about. It’s really hard to kind of fit into this call.”
The new Roadster is Tesla’s effort to best every sports car on the market. Tesla says the car will have a 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 250 mph. Musk has said the Roadster will even borrow technology from SpaceX – thrusters to help the car travel even faster.
To reserve a Roadster, Tesla requires an initial $5,000 credit card payment, plus a $45,000 wire transfer payment due in 10 days. The Founders Series Roadster also requires a $5,000 credit card payment, plus a $245,000 wire transfer payment due in 10 days.
Musk said Model S and X production for the entire world will take place in Fremont. The planned Giga Texas will build the Cybertruck and Semi, as well as Model Y and Model 3 vehicles for the eastern U.S.