Sam Altman Mocks Tesla Roadster Refund, Musk Fires Back
In a recent exchange, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reignited their ongoing dispute, originally sparked by Altman’s attempt to cancel his Tesla Roadster order. This occurred on October 30, when Altman shared his experience on social media regarding his reservation.
Details of Altman’s Roadster Reservation
Altman had placed a pre-order for the Tesla Roadster back in July 2018, making a substantial reservation payment of $45,000. Seven years later, in 2025, he decided to cancel his order. However, when he tried to do so by responding to the confirmation email, he encountered an error indicating the address was not found. This situation highlights potential issues with customer service communication.
Musk’s Response
On November 1, Musk responded to Altman’s claims, shifting the focus to criticize Altman for OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit to a for-profit organization. Musk had been involved with OpenAI in its early days but later expressed dissatisfaction with its new direction.
- Altman’s Refund: Musk proclaimed that the issue was resolved, asserting that Altman received his refund within 24 hours.
- Roadster Prototype Announcement: Musk teased that Tesla is nearing the completion of a prototype for the Roadster, describing it as a vehicle that could “combine all the James Bond cars.”
- Launch Delays: Originally, the Tesla Roadster had been expected to launch in 2020, but significant delays have raised skepticism regarding its availability.
Public Reaction
This exchange has sparked various reactions online, with many followers closely watching the back-and-forth between the two tech leaders. The situation underscores the challenges and expectations surrounding innovative automotive projects. Tesla enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the official launch of the Roadster while noting the long wait time since its initial announcement.
As the rivalry continues, it remains to be seen how this public disagreement will evolve and what implications it might have for both companies moving forward.
