Elon Musk announced on social media that the unveiling of the next-generation Tesla Roadster is expected to take place in late April 2026. The release was previously scheduled for April 1st—a date Musk himself deliberately chose, stating that it would give him the opportunity to explain the possible postponement as an April Fool's joke.

The Tesla Roadster is the company's first production electric vehicle. The sports car was unveiled as a prototype in 2006, with production beginning in 2008 and continuing until 2012. The second-generation model was announced in 2017; in 2023, Musk announced plans to begin production in 2024.

Years of delays have sparked public discontent among customers. In October 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called for a 50 thousand USD refund for a car he pre-ordered in 2018, stating that he understood the reasons for the delays but considered the seven-and-a-half-year wait excessive.