Tesla’s “We, Robot” event was precisely what Elon Musk and the company teased it would be: an event to showcase autonomy, robots, and the future. The Model 2 had no place at the event and Gene Munster has a theory as to why.
“The one missing topic from tonight’s event was the ‘more affordable’ vehicle…My sense is that the car is still on the roadmap for sometime late in 2025, but the company decided not to discuss it, ask it would have triggered the Osborne Effect, causing Model 3 buyers to hold off,” said Munster in an X post.
Before the “We, Robot” event, Munster and his colleague at Deepwater predicted that Tesla would unveil three vehicles: the Cybercab, Cybervan, and Model 2. They believed Tesla’s Model 2 would be a stripped-down version of the Model 3.
Unfortunately, Tesla did not unveil the Model 2 during “We, Robot.” Many netizens speculate it’s because the Model 2 didn’t fit the theme of the event, which was autonomy and robots. Although the few details Elon Musk shared about the Cybercab might help draw a clearer picture of the Tesla Model 2.
The one missing topic from tonight’s event was the “more affordable” vehicle.
This was Elon’s “A” topic from the last earnings call, where he mentioned the start of production as early to mid-2025… or maybe even late 2024.
My sense is that the car is still on the roadmap for…— Gene Munster (@munster_gene) October 11, 2024
Teslarati’s Model 2 Takeaways [Opinion]
Tesla hasn’t officially released specific details about Model 2. However, Elon Musk hinted at a more affordable model during the last earnings call.
-->“We won’t go much into the product roadmap here because that is reserved for product announcement events. But we are on track to deliver a more affordable model in the first half of the year,” Musk noted in Tesla’s Q2 2024 earnings call.
The Cybercab is supposed to be the autonomous twin of the Model 2—the only difference being its steering wheel. Since the Cybercab is set to be on the road by next year, the Model 2 unveiling might not be that far off.
Tesla may hold a separate unveiling event for the Model 2, as suggested by Elon Musk’s words in the Q2 2024 earnings call. Given the timeline Musk gave, the unveiling might be scheduled for the beginning of 2025.
As for the Model 2’s cost, Tesla may stick to the $25,000 price tag. Musk announced that the Cybercab would cost less than $30,000, and since the Model 2 will have a similar design, it will probably be around the same price as well.
When it comes to the Tesla Model 2 design, Gene Munster might be correct. The Model 2 may be a stripped-down version of the Model 3. The Tesla Model 2 will likely be capable of transporting more than 2 passengers and look less futuristic.
-->If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via X @Writer_0100110.
News
Blue Origin announces Super-Heavy New Glenn 9×4 to Rival SpaceX Starship
The announcement followed the company’s successful NG-2 launch on November 13.
Blue Origin has revealed plans to develop New Glenn 9×4, a “super heavy” rocket designed to deliver 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit and directly compete with SpaceX’s Starship.
The announcement followed the company’s successful NG-2 launch on November 13, which deployed NASA’s ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration Dynamics Explorers) Mars mission and landed the first stage.
Upgraded engines and reusability
As noted in a Universe Today report, Blue Origin will roll out upgraded BE-4 engines producing 640,000 lbf each, up from 550,000 lbf, starting with NG-3. This should boost the New Glenn rocket’s total first-stage thrust to 4.5 million pounds. Upper-stage BE-3U engines are expected to improve from 320,000 lbf to 400,000 lbf over the next few flights as well.
“These enhancements will immediately benefit customers already manifested on New Glenn to fly to destinations including low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond. Additional vehicle upgrades include a reusable fairing to support increased flight rates, an updated lower-cost tank design, and a higher-performing and reusable thermal protection system to improve turnaround time,” Blue Origin noted.
New Glenn “Super Heavy” 9×4
The super-heavy New Glenn 9×4, with nine BE-4s on the booster, four BE-3Us on the upper stage, will feature an 8.7-meter payload fairing. Blue Origin expects New Glenn 9×4 to be capable of transporting 70 metric tons to LEO, 14 tons to GSO, and 20 tons to trans-lunar injection, as noted by the company in a blog post. This is very impressive, as New Glenn 9×4’s capacity exceeds Falcon Heavy, SpaceX’s largest rocket available to consumers today. Falcon Heavy is capable of carrying up to 64 metric tons to low Earth orbit in a fully expendable configuration.
-->That being said, SpaceX’s Starship’s capacity is extremely impressive. As per SpaceX, Starship is designed to be capable of carrying up to 100-150 metric tonnes to orbit in its fully reusable configuration. At its expendable configuration, Starship’s capacity enters unheard-of territory, with SpaceX stating that the vehicle could transport 250 metric tonnes of cargo.
News
Tesla FSD approved for testing in Nacka, Sweden, though municipality note reveals aggravating detail
Nacka, Sweden, a municipality just a few miles from Stockholm, has given its approval for FSD tests.
Tesla has secured approval for FSD testing in an urban environment in Sweden. As per recent reports from the Tesla community, Nacka, Sweden, a municipality just a few miles from Stockholm, has given its approval for FSD tests.
A look at the municipality’s note regarding FSD’s approval, however, reveals something quite aggravating.
FSD testing approval secured
As per Tesla watcher and longtime shareholder Alexander Kristensen, Nacka is governed by the Moderate Party. The shareholder also shared the municipality’s protocol notes regarding approval for FSD’s tests.
“It is good that Nacka can be a place for test-driving self-driving cars. This is future technology that can both facilitate mobility and make transportation cheaper and more environmentally friendly,” the note read.
The update was received positively by the Tesla community on social media, as it suggests that the electric vehicle maker is making some legitimate headway in releasing FSD into the region. Sweden has been particularly challenging as well, so securing approval in Nacka is a notable milestone for the company’s efforts.
-->Aggravating details
A look at the notes from Nacka shows that FSD’s proposed tests still met some opposition from some officials. But while some critics might typically point to safety issues as their reasons for rejecting FSD, those who opposed the system in Nacka openly cited Tesla’s conflict with trade union IF Metall in their arguments. Fortunately, Nacka officials ultimately decided in Tesla’s favor as the company’s issues with the country’s unions are a completely different matter.
“The left-wing opposition (S, Nackalistan, MP and V) voted no to this, referring to the fact that the applicant company Tesla is involved in a labor market conflict and does not want to sign a collective agreement. We believe that this is not an acceptable reason for the municipality to use its authority to interfere in a labor law conflict.
“Signing a collective agreement is not an obligation, and the company has not committed any crime. The municipality should contribute to technological development and progress, not work against the future,” the note read.
News
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y named top car buys in Norway
Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability.
Norway’s annual roundup of the best car purchases featured Tesla’s two main sellers this year, with the Model 3 and Model Y securing top positions in their respective segments.
Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability. The verdict comes as electric vehicle adoption remained above 95% of new vehicle sales in the country.
Tesla Model 3 strengthens its value position
Among compact EVs, the Tesla Model 3 maintained its position as the best overall buy thanks to its strong blend of performance, efficiency, and updated features. Reviewers noted that every trim offered compelling value, especially with the all-electric sedan’s improved cabin ergonomics and the return of the turn-signal stalk, which was one of the few previous complaints among drivers.
The Model 3’s mix of long-range capability, low operating costs, and responsive handling has continued to set the benchmark for compact EVs in Norway. While competitors from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Peugeot have narrowed the gap, Tesla’s price-to-capability ratio has remained difficult to beat in this segment, Motor.no reported.
“The Model 3 clearly offers the best value for money in the compact class, no matter which version you choose. Now it also gets the turn signal lever back. This eliminates one of the few flaws in a driving environment that many believe is the best on the market,” the publication wrote.
-->Tesla Model Y claims its crown
The Tesla Model Y emerged as Norway’s top family-car purchase this year. The latest refresh introduced improvements in ride quality, styling, and interior materials, allowing the Model Y to deliver a more premium driving experience without a substantial price increase.
Reviewers praised its spacious cabin, strong safety profile, and practical range, all of which reinforced its appeal for families needing an all-purpose electric crossover. The Model Y remains especially notable given its continued popularity in Norway even as Tesla faces declining sales in other global markets.
“The Model Y is back as the winner in the family class. The upgrade in the new year was even more extensive than expected. It is a slightly more elegant and significantly more comfortable Model Y that solidifies its position as Norway’s best car purchase in the most important class,” the Norwegian motoring publication noted.
Blue Origin announces Super-Heavy New Glenn 9×4 to Rival SpaceX Starship
Tesla FSD approved for testing in Nacka, Sweden, though municipality note reveals aggravating detail
