The long-discussed “Model 2” might never arrive. Musk’s emphasis on Cybercab, a robotaxi designed for autonomous operation, suggested a different direction from the $25,000 Tesla many fans and investors had imagined: a compact, accessible electric car with Tesla’s software and appeal. The article interpreted that strategy as the end of the dream known as “Model 2”, a name Tesla had never formally adopted for a production car.

Model 2: a difficult target

A $25,000 Tesla had obvious appeal: advanced software at a price more people could afford. The article argued that reaching even the roughly $37,000 level required compromises, pointing to the Model 3 and Model Y Standard versions discussed at publication. It listed changes to driving-assistance equipment, manual and partly fabric seats, a smaller frunk, ambient lighting and direct tyre-pressure sensing among the specification reductions. Its view was that these changes affected the ownership experience buyers associated with Tesla, rather than simply lowering manufacturing costs.

The argument was that a $25,000 price could not be reached merely by simplifying existing platforms. A clean-sheet design, new manufacturing equipment and substantial investment might be needed—a path Tesla did not appear to be prioritising at the time.

Cybercab: a different route to lower costs

Instead, the focus was Cybercab, intended to operate as an autonomous robotaxi. The report discussed targets of less than $20,000 in production cost and a potential consumer price below $30,000. These were targets, not a current retail offer. The concept centred on shared urban transport rather than another privately owned car sitting on a driveway.

With approaches such as unboxed assembly, coloured plastic panels and large castings, Tesla aimed to reduce costs. Its ambition was rides cheaper than public transport, potentially reducing the need to own a car. It was a vision of mobility as a service, whose economics and operation still had to be demonstrated at scale.

Model 2 vs Cybercab

A strategy that divided opinion

For some Tesla fans, the direction was disappointing. Model 2 had represented more accessible car ownership: premium technology reaching a wider audience. Cybercab offered a different vision, without a steering wheel or direct driver control. It prioritised efficiency over driving involvement. Meanwhile, the article pointed to BYD, NIO and Chevrolet as competitors pursuing more affordable electric cars for buyers still seeking their own vehicle.

Autonomy or affordability?

Tesla appeared to be betting on autonomy. If Cybercab succeeded, the argument for a conventional Model 2 might weaken: low-cost rides could make ownership less necessary for some people. But if reliable autonomous operation took longer to achieve, that strategic bet would carry significant risk.

It was a recognisably Musk-style decision: ambitious, potentially transformative and uncertain. The article’s closing question went beyond price: was Tesla building a world for drivers, or one in which we would increasingly be passengers?

💶 REFERRAL PROGRAMME 🚘

The €500 discount offer described at publication

Click the following link to apply the discount and order the car through the normal purchase process (or copy and paste it into Google):

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👏 That’s it! Under the offer described at publication, this provided €500 off a new Tesla.

The discount link was also listed in our bio under “Buy a Tesla – €500 discount” and in our website menu under “Buy a Tesla”.

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Giorgio Rebecchi

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Giorgio Rebecchi
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