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NHTSA warns Tesla Roadster must comply with US safety rules

faz.net (German) — October 17, 2026 at 08:01 AM UTC

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned Tesla CEO Elon Musk to ensure the new Roadster complies with federal safety regulations and that drivers obey all local traffic laws. The agency responded after the vehicle's flashy presentation, which included a flying "Rocket" variant. The NHTSA stated the sports car appears to "defy the laws of physics" but must not violate nationwide motor vehicle safety standards. The agency will monitor the situation and take action to protect drivers if needed. The Federal Aviation Administration separately clarified the rocket-equipped prototype does not qualify as an aircraft. Musk unveiled the Roadster on Thursday at a SpaceX test site in Texas, where the car performed a mid-air flip. The vehicle can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in under one second and reach a top speed of 370 km/h. Production is slated for 2028, with reservations already open on Tesla's website.

With a significance score of 3.1, this news ranks in the top 10% of today's 29613 analyzed articles.

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