On the 30th of April 2015, exactly 11 years ago today, a younger and more enthusiastic Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla (TSLA), had the pleasure of chauffeuring the then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a Model S luxury electric sedan. The event took place in the Silicon Valley area of California, attracting a large number of media personnel and curious onlookers eager to catch a glimpse of these two prominent figures.
Although Shinzo Abe is sadly no longer with us, this post is not about the sadness of his absence but rather a fond memory shared by the two public figures. A 2-minute 18-second video clip of the event was recently shared on X, quickly going viral and garnering over 5K likes and more than 300K views. Fans of both Abe and Musk have taken to social media to express their emotions and thoughts about this heartwarming memory.
During the ride, as Abe explored the Model S’s minimalistic interior design and the large center touchscreen, Musk took the opportunity to emphasize Tesla’s strategic partnership with Panasonic, their sole battery supplier at the time. This reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Japan and its businesses.
The Model S being driven by Musk during the event was a P90D, a Performance variant with dual motors and a 90 kWh battery pack. The vehicle provided a quiet and smooth ride, characteristic of electric vehicles, as Musk demonstrated its instant acceleration by flooring the accelerator pedal, eliciting a collective expression of awe from the passengers.
As the acceleration pushed everyone back into their seats, Musk and Abe shared a moment of laughter, with Musk expressing his commitment to making cars fun and Abe agreeing that the experience was indeed enjoyable.
It’s worth noting that Tesla has since discontinued the Model S, with the remaining 250 Signature Edition models being sold out. The automaker is set to celebrate the phaseout of the Model S and X by delivering some of the Signature Edition vehicles to their owners at an upcoming event.
In conclusion, the memorable ride shared by Elon Musk and Shinzo Abe in the Tesla Model S P90D back in 2015 remains a cherished memory for fans of both individuals. It serves as a reminder of the progress and innovation that Tesla has brought to the automotive industry over the years.