On March 12, The Wall Street Journal reported that Tesla (TSLA.O) successfully launched its first new model, the Cybercab, from its Austin production line last month. This revolutionary vehicle, which notably lacks a steering wheel and pedals, is set to commence mass production in April. The large-scale production of the Cybercab will be a crucial milestone for Tesla, as it seeks to redefine itself beyond a traditional automaker. Simultaneously, it will put the U.S. safety regulatory system to the test, given that it was not originally designed to accommodate such innovative vehicles. The Cybercab is specifically tailored for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) autonomous driving system.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Tesla is meticulously designing its production line with the ambition of manufacturing hundreds of Cybercabs each week. To achieve this ambitious target, the company has bolstered its workforce and implemented new equipment at its Giga Texas factory in Austin.

However, due to the Cybercab’s unique design, which omits a steering wheel, pedals, and side mirrors, Tesla must secure approval from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before it can legally sell the vehicle. If the NHTSA concludes that the Cybercab fails to meet safety standards, it may mandate Tesla to recall and retrofit the vehicles. Should Tesla refuse to comply, it could face substantial fines and may even be forced to adhere to the regulations through legal proceedings.