neroden
Model S Owner and Frustrated Tesla Fan
Sure, redesigning it is non-trivial. That's what the R&D team is there for.
Changing over the production line, though, to start putting a differently designed pre-assembled dashboard assembly into the same mounting brackets, is trivial. So far as I know, the dashboard is assembled outside the car, and then put in with a few bolts into the A pillars in a single step. No reason you couldn't put a different one in there (with differently designed/routed ductwork) fairly easily.
Agreed. I believe the R&D team has been focused on Model 3... and on Autopilot... and on simplifying Model X production... and on Semis and Pickups... and then there's Model Y... and the new Roadster...
I'm just guessing that they *haven't* finished the R&D for the retooling of Model S to have a HUD, and that it will take long enough that it won't be ready by the time Model 3 comes out. I could be wrong.