Elon Musk reveals the ‘Art Deco’ design inspiration behind Tesla’s Robovan

Elon Musk said the look of Tesla’s Robovan was inspired by Art Deco trains, like the New York Central Railroad’s Mercury steam engine.

Tesla looked to the past for design inspiration for its futuristic Robovan.

Elon Musk finally revealed the long-awaited Robotaxi at Tesla’s “We Robot” event on Thursday — but the bigger surprise was the unveiling of the multi-passenger Robovan.

“What happens if you need a vehicle that is bigger than a Model Y?” Musk said on Thursday evening before the bus-like vehicle pulled up to the stage.

Robovan seats 20 & can be adapted to commercial or personal use – school bus, RV, cargo pic.twitter.com/CtjEfcaoHI

— Tesla (@Tesla) October 11, 2024

Tesla’s Robovan will eventually be the latest addition to Tesla’s fleet of sedans and Cybertrucks, though Musk didn’t reveal details about the Robovan’s price or release date.

The interior — which Musk said was “meant to feel like a spaceship” — featured sleek, white, roomy seats complemented by blue LED lights that cast a cool glow inside. The Robovan can seat up to 20 passengers and transport goods, Musk said at the event. It can also be used as a “school bus, RV, or cargo,” the company said in a post on X, and Musk also seemed amenable to the idea of people creating their own studio apartment on wheels.

But the Robovan’s exterior aesthetic appears to be inspired by the early 20th century Art Deco design period.

Tesla’s Robovan was shown off at the company’s “We, Robot” event.

Musk wrote “Futuristic Art Deco Bus” in a post on X last night with a photo of the Robovan. In response to a user who asked about what inspired the design, Musk replied, “Art Deco trains.”

Art Deco trains were a product of the Art Deco era, which took place in the 1920s and 1930s. The style of the period was characterized by modern, geometric designs. Trains at the time were known to embody the streamlined and luxurious aesthetic of the time.

One user responded to the thread with a photo of what looks to be a Mercury train, to which Musk responded with a bull’s-eye emoji. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

🎯

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024

The New York Central Railroad’s Mercury trains were an example of Art Deco-inspired trains. Designed by Henry Dreyfuss, the Mercury trains exemplified the sleek, aerodynamic aesthetic and luxurious interior of the era. The Mercury’s success solidified Dreyfuss’ reputation as a leading figure in American industrial design.

A photo of New York Central System’s Mercury railroad car, designed by Henry Dreyfuss.

Musk may have painted a vivid image of what the future looks like with his upcoming autonomous vehicles and dancing Optimus robots — but he also failed to provide enough clarity for what Tesla’s near-term business model for the vehicles looks like, leaving investors with more questions than answers.

Tesla’s shares were down 7.3% the morning after Tesla’s big event.