Another excerpt from biographer Walter Isaacson’s book on Elon Musk shares new details about Tesla’s next-generation vehicle platform, including plans for a different build location than the automaker previously reported.
In the excerpt, which Axios published on Friday, Isaacson details Musk’s well-documented desire to build Tesla’s next-generation electric vehicle (EV) platform used for self-driving cars. Although Tesla announced plans earlier this year to build the next-gen EV at an upcoming Gigafactory in Mexico, Isaacson says that Musk changed the initial build location of the robotaxi platform to Gigafactory Austin as recently as May.
“Tesla engineering will need to be on the line to make it successful, and getting everyone to move to Mexico is never going to happen,” Musk told Isaacson.
While Giga Mexico is still expected to be built out for the new generation of Tesla’s EVs, the excerpt details Musk’s desire to have the automaker’s design engineers even closer to the assembly process.
This would allow engineers to provide feedback instantly, and rather than relocating these engineers to Giga Mexico, Musk reportedly decided to change the new platform’s initial production location to Tesla’s headquarters at Giga Texas.
Samuel García Sepúlveda, governor of the Mexican state Nuevo León, where Giga Mexico will be built, said earlier this year that the automaker would build a production line from the ground up to build Tesla’s $25,000 compact car outside of Monterrey. A move to debut the initial production of the upcoming EV at Giga Texas wouldn’t necessarily change this detail.
Beyond Giga Texas being Tesla’s headquarters, it’s also where Musk’s primary workspace is located, and it includes a high-speed assembly line for production that includes updated automation functionality.
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According to Isaacson in another report from Axios, the upcoming robotaxi EV platform is expected to be inspired by the Cybertruck, built on the same architecture as the $25,000 car design. The EVs are expected to be similar, even using the same assembly line. However, one key difference between the two mass-market EVs is that the robotaxi may not necessarily include a steering wheel, while the passenger vehicle version would.
Isaacson also shares details from a design review session in February for the EVs, during which Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen showed the $25,000 car design and the robotaxi design next to each other. Musk responded with enthusiasm — particularly due to their futuristic, Cybertruck-like design.
“When one of these comes around a corner, people will think they are seeing something from the future,” Musk said during the meeting.
Still, Isaacson notes that Musk’s excitement is far higher for the robotaxi project than for the $25,000 car, especially given how much the Tesla CEO expects to see transportation redefined with the self-driving vehicle platform. According to von Holzhausen, the Tesla team even had to convince Musk to use the same vehicle architecture for both the $25,000 vehicle and the robotaxi design.
“It’s really not that exciting of a product,” Musk previously said of the mass-market EV.
The Tesla Semi was spotted mounted with ground truth validation equipment as the company nears its looming launch. The Semi is Tesla’s Class 8 all-electric truck, and has been utilized in its earlier stages by many companies like PepsiCo. and Frito-Lay, who have been using it in a pilot program.
The Semi was spotted in Sunnyvale, California, and sports a typical ground truth validation unit that Tesla routinely uses on its vehicles. Ground truth validation is essentially the process of training supervised algorithms to ensure they can perform reliably. Tesla typically performs this on vehicles that are being released soon:
Spotted the new semi adorned with ground truthing equipment. Haven’t seen anyone post this so figured I’d share.
The future is autonomous!!@SawyerMerritt @wholemars pic.twitter.com/qkPDHPUQZ6
— Danny (@dannywinner1) June 21, 2026
The Semi being spotted with this type of validation rig is important because it means the company is working on solidifying a Full Self-Driving model for its commercial vehicle offering. This would be a massive development for not only Tesla but also the logistics industry as a whole.
There are strict regulations on driving hours for commercial truck drivers, and autonomy is a way to potentially combat these issues. FSD is already a widely effective way that owners of typical passenger vehicles take stress out of travel. Even launching a semi-autonomous platform for truck drivers to use to increase safety, reduce fatigue, and increase productivity would be a huge development.
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The Semi has already proven to be an ideal solution for companies that use commercial logistics. It has increased efficiency and reduced operating costs for many companies that have been able to use it in pilot programs.
There are expected to be some bumps along the way. Tesla saw some challenges with FSD on the Cybertruck, as it had never had a vehicle with cameras at that height, so some of the features with FSD were not immediately available. Just a week ago, Tesla launched Actually Smart Summon (ASS) for Cybertruck, nearly three years after the vehicle was first delivered to customers.
President Donald Trump unveiled an upgraded Boeing 747-8 at Joint Base Andrews on June 19, 2026, describing the Qatar-gifted aircraft as an interim Air Force One equipped with advanced communications systems, including Starlink, Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet service.
The plane, valued at around $400 million and modified for presidential use, serves as a bridge until the delayed VC-25B replacements arrive. Trump highlighted its luxury features and new technology during remarks to service members.
Trump stated:
“We have communication equipment up there that nobody’s ever seen before. It’s the highest level and, uh, including Starlink. My friend Elon is going to be very happy, but, uh, Starlink and we have, uh, four or five different sets of double and triple communications like people haven’t seen.”
He added:
“And it represents what can happen with hard work, innovation, and aggressive timelines because we did this quickly and yet there’s never been communication like is on this plane.”
🚨 President Trump confirmed today that the new Air Force One is equipped with Starlink:
“We have communication equipment up there that nobody’s ever seen before, it’s the highest level and including Starlink…my friend Elon is going to be very happy.” pic.twitter.com/IhkDmtr5hL
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 20, 2026
The aircraft features a redesigned red, white, and blue livery and has been outfitted with Starlink satellite connectivity alongside other secure systems.
Trump praised the plane’s uniqueness, calling it among the world’s most luxurious. The gift from Qatar and subsequent modifications have drawn attention, with the jet positioned as a solution for presidential travel. It is expected to support operations, including potential ceremonial roles such as Fourth of July flyovers.
The event marked the formal introduction of the converted jet, which will help maintain capabilities while the primary Air Force One fleet undergoes modernization. Defense observers note the inclusion of commercial satellite technology like Starlink as part of efforts to ensure resilient communications, crucial to keep the country running as the President is in the sky.
President Trump’s comments underscored appreciation for rapid upgrades and innovation in equipping the aircraft. The plane remains a U.S. government asset and is slated for eventual transfer related to presidential library purposes after its service.
Tesla just gave what is perhaps its biggest signal yet that the launch of the Cybercab, its autonomous ride-hailing-geared car, is imminent.
The Cybercab has been spotted outside of Gigafactory Texas in massive numbers over the past few days, with hundreds of units being stored on property just days after the vehicle received a Certificate of Conformity from the EPA.
Today, things were a bit different.
Cybercabs spotted on Giga Texas property today had an addition: a Cybercab decal on the side, reminiscent of the “Robotaxi” ones that were placed on Model Ys just as the company launched its ride-sharing platform about a year ago.
Giga Texas drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer noticed the change today:
Tesla Cybercabs are now getting “Cybercab” logos on the side of them!
Tesla did the same with Model Ys that were given “Robotaxi” logos: https://t.co/DanANtw1m7 pic.twitter.com/FqOhH0S9Ks
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 19, 2026
Tesla could be signaling that the Cybercab is preparing to enter the Robotaxi fleet in the coming weeks or months with this move. It seems more symbolic than anything; Tesla is ready to throw Cybercabs in the ride-hailing platform just as it did with Model Ys last year.
The addition of the Certificate of Conformity awarded to the Cybercab is another major factor working to Tesla’s advantage. The company now has permission from the EPA to allow the vehicle to operate on public roads and enter the chain of commerce. It’s officially street legal.
Tesla Cybercab specs revealed: range, curb weight, range ratings, and more
The big question that remains is whether Tesla will be able to operate the car without a safety monitor, especially considering it plans to put the car out there without a steering wheel or pedals. With the Cybercab only having a seating capacity of two, it is hard to believe Tesla will even consider putting a Safety Monitor in the car.
It did recently self-certify as Level 4 and has the ability to operate driverless vehicles in the State of Texas under a law that took effect on May 28. You can read more about that here:
Tesla’s Robotaxi dreams just took a massive step toward reality
We’d imagine Cybercabs will be on the roads as soon as July, but August will likely be a better estimate of when the car will be entered into the Cybercab fleet. It all depends at where Tesla is, as they’ve truly prioritized safety with the rollout of the Robotaxi platform.
Tesla Semi spotted with ground truth validation equipment as launch looms
President Trump touts new Air Force One with Musk technology
