Tesla's next-generation Roadster, first unveiled in 2017, continues to face delays as the company prioritizes other projects. During Tesla's recent third-quarter earnings call, CEO Elon Musk addressed the situation, thanking the "long-suffering deposit holders" who paid $50,000 in 2017 to reserve the luxury electric sports car.

Musk explained that the Roadster's delay is due to its position as "the cherry on the icing on the cake," with other projects taking precedence. He emphasized Tesla's larger mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy, suggesting that projects with "a more serious impact on the growth of the world" are currently more important.

Despite the delays, Musk reported that Tesla is "actually finally making progress" on the Roadster and is "close to finalizing the design." The company continues to work on the vehicle, which promises to be Tesla's most expensive offering to date.

Wall Street analysts were not surprised by the potential for further delays. Kate Leaman, chief market analyst at AvaTrade, noted that Tesla's focus on high-impact projects like ramping up Model Y and Cybertruck production takes priority over the low-volume luxury Roadster. Jacob Bourne, an analyst at Emarketer, pointed out that delays are not uncommon for Tesla or Musk's various ventures.

The new Roadster, a reimagining of Tesla's first-ever vehicle, was initially announced with ambitious performance targets, including a 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed exceeding 250 mph. The four-seater sports car, expected to cost around $200,000, will feature a removable glass roof and potentially incorporate technology from SpaceX, Tesla's sister company.

While the exact release date remains uncertain, Tesla bull Dan Ives of Wedbush predicts that the Roadster, along with the Semi and a sub-$30,000 vehicle, could all be on the road within the next 12 months. However, given the history of delays and Musk's tendency to make bold statements about future products, potential buyers and investors should approach these timelines with caution.

The ongoing development of the Roadster highlights the challenges Tesla faces in balancing innovation with practical market demands and its broader mission of sustainable transportation. As the company continues to evolve and expand its product line, the luxury sports car segment remains a tantalizing, if not immediate, priority for the electric vehicle manufacturer.