The project sometimes referred to as the Model 2 may not be as dead as it seems. Or is Franz von Holzhausen saying the opposite?
Key Takeaways
- Franz von Holzhausen teased potential future developments regarding the Model 2, suggesting we “stay tuned” for more information.
- Conflicting reports on the Model 2’s status show uncertainty around Tesla’s plans for an affordable electric vehicle.
- Von Holzhausen’s short and sweet response is ambiguous but could suggest a positive announcement is imminent.
Tesla design boss Franz von Holzhausen has muddied the so-called Model 2 waters further with recent comments. “Stay tuned,” the designer said in response to being asked whether the affordable Tesla was canceled or not, with the individual who asked noting that Tesla CEO Elon Musk had already responded cryptically on his social media platform.
“I would just stay tuned. Just don’t always believe what you read.”
– Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla Chief Designer
What Did Franz von Holzhausen Mean When He Said “Stay Tuned?”
In case you missed it, a recent Reuters report claimed that Tesla had abandoned plans to produce an entry-level electric vehicle cheaper than the Model 3. This caused a bit of a flurry among investors and fans who took to X to ask CEO Elon Musk if the report was true. Musk wrote that Reuters was “lying (again)” but did not give any specifics.
Related
Elon Musk Says Tesla Robotaxi Is Coming In October
On Friday, a report claimed that the Model 2 was canned in favor of robotaxis. Musk denied this but has now confirmed the robotaxi reveal date.
Von Holzhausen’s response (quoted verbatim above) could be interpreted two ways: either Franz is saying that we shouldn’t believe what we read in that report or that we shouldn’t believe what we read on X. Take a look at his response below and decide for yourself.
Two Sides Of The Story
In the (extensive) report that started all this commotion, three sources and messages seen by Reuters reportedly revealed that Tesla had abandoned the low-cost EV in favor of focusing resources on robotaxi development. Interestingly, not long after Musk wrote that the publication had lied, he then indicated on X that the robotaxi would be unveiled on August 8. It’s easy to understand why more clarity is required, but von Holzhausen’s short answer genuinely gives us no more specifics than Musk’s, and this story could still develop either way.
On the one hand, von Holzhausen could be playing coy, smug in the knowledge that a game-changing, stock-price-inflating, low-cost EV is going to be revealed before the year is out. On the other, he may have just publicly critiqued Elon’s tweets. The former appears more likely, but whatever happens, things in the world of Tesla seem to be getting interesting again.
