Issue 387 - Texting while using FSD is on the way
Roadster
Production Roadster 2 reveal pushed to April Fools’ Day
Musk says the long-awaited second-gen Roadster’s production reveal is set for April 1, 2026, joking about “deniability” if it slips again. He adds the new version will be very different and hints at a wild demo, with actual production at least a year after the event. Founders Series reservation holders from 2017 will be invited to the reveal.
Roadster 2 demo hype: “This product demo will be unforgettable…”
The upcoming Roadster 2 demo, Musk says, will be memorable no matter what, with features wilder than all the James Bond cars put together. He’s keeping the final unveil date intentionally vague but promises something truly out there.
Semi & Robotaxi
Final Semi design and specs confirmed 📷
Final Semi specs and design are now official: 500-mile range, 1.7kWh/mi efficiency, and 1.2MW charging, aiming to redefine electric trucking for fleet operators. Production is gearing up in Nevada with a goal of 50,000 units per year by the end of 2026.
What changed on the Cybercab since last year’s unveil 📷
A California sighting shows the Cybercab prototype with tweaks that suggest production is approaching: a revised tail for better aerodynamics, a shorter rear body panel, improved lighting, slightly altered cameras and bumpers, and side mirrors likely for regulatory testing.
Robotaxi expansion adds five new markets
Robotaxi service is adding Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Miami as the next launch cities. Austin aims to offer fully driverless rides without safety operators by year-end, and the targeted fleet size is 1,500 vehicles.
FSD
Texting while using FSD is on the way
Short texts while using Full Self-Driving are planned, with new safety data cited as showing FSD is already significantly safer than manual driving. Upcoming V14 updates will gradually reduce required driver supervision as system confidence increases, though full hands-off autonomy remains a future goal. Expect debate with regulators.
Ordering
Instant trade-in estimates arrive in the Design Studio
An instant trade-in estimator is appearing directly in the online Design Studio, live now in California and a few states, with plans to expand across the US and Canada. Buyers see real-time values for their current vehicles while configuring a new car, reducing friction in the process.
New rental program adds free charging and FSD perks
A new in-house rental option starts at $60 per day for three to seven days in select California locations. Renters get unlimited mileage, free Supercharging, and Full Self-Driving (Supervised), making it easy to test an EV with minimal commitment.
Model Y
Longest-range Model Y debuts in China 📹
In China, the Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive arrives with an 821 km CLTC rating, the longest-range Y yet. It’s priced above the base model but below the AWD and six-seat variants, with 5-year 0% financing and a paint credit to sweeten the deal, aiming to energize sales in a slumping market.
🤓 What the acronym
As a Tesla fan, I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.
AWD: All-Wheel Drive
FSD: Full Self-Driving