VDC Engineer

Elon Musk says the new Tesla Roadster "will be sentient" and that owners can ask it to perform its stunts autonomously, he wrote on X. The car debuted on October 15 at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, where it launched off a ramp, flipped in midair and cleared parked Teslas using cold-gas thrusters. Musk also promised a looping test track at Tesla's Texas headquarters. Neither feature has a date; production is set for 2028, and no price was announced. Reservations reopened. The Performance model needs $5,000 at signup, described as refundable, plus $45,000 within ten days. The Thrust costs $250,000, with $245,000 due within ten days. Tesla does not guarantee delivery. Tesla shares closed down 2.13% at $354.72 on October 16.

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reversed class certification in a lawsuit over Tesla's full self-driving (FSD) claims. The October 16, 2026 ruling in LoSavio v. Tesla covers two damages classes and one injunctive-relief class of California buyers. The panel found that individual questions about what each buyer saw before purchase made class treatment inappropriate. The challenged statement sat on an Autopilot page that buyers did not need to visit. The case returns to US District Judge Rita Lin and continues. Individual buyers can still sue, but few will, as legal costs would exceed their recovery. Tesla denies the claims. Tesla shares closed at $354.72, down 2.13%, in line with a broader tech selloff. It reports third-quarter results on October 21.

Tesla is taking $250,000 deposits for a Roadster that uses SpaceX thrusters to briefly fly, though the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the car does not meet its definition of an aircraft. It therefore would not need to certify it as airworthy. In a livestreamed demonstration in McGregor, Texas, a prototype drove up a ramp, launched, rolled 180 degrees using compressed air, and landed on its wheels. It then leapt over a row of Tesla vehicles. Chief executive officer Elon Musk said the car operated autonomously for safety reasons. Tesla offers three versions. Performance requires a $50,000 reservation, Thrust requires $250,000, and the flying Rocket is invitation-only. Final prices are not set. Production is now planned for 2028, eight years later than first promised. Range has fallen to more than 300 miles from 620, and seating to two from four.