Ride the Lightning: Tesla Motors Unofficial Podcast Ryan McCaffrey

Tesla held its Q4 earnings call, and as always I’ve got the highlight clips from Elon Musk and the Tesla executive team as well as analysis of all the big news from the event, and more!
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier!
And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752.
P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/. Finally, pick up a 128gb or 256gb Sentry Mode/Dashcam kit at http://www.puretesla.com/rtl 

Tesla has zipped past all of its competitors to become America’s best-selling luxury brand. Plus: some takeaways from my Franz von Holzhausen interview last week, Tesla has cracked Brand Finance's list of the World's Top 25 Most Valuable Brand rankings, and more!
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier!
And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752.
P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/. Finally, pick up a 128gb or 256gb Sentry Mode/Dashcam kit at http://www.puretesla.com/rtl 

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen joins me for his second interview on this show! Our almost hour-long discussion covers the Cybertruck, next-gen Roadster, the new Model S, and much more! Plus: after the interview I analyze Tesla’s huge across-the-board price cuts that happened this week as well.
TIMECODES:
0:47 Podcast intro
3:02 Franz interview begins
3:29 Petersen Auto Museum's Tesla exhibit
6:51 Was the Cybertruck inspired by the DeLorean?
8:39 Removing scratches from the Cybertruck's stainless steel finish
10:54 Customizing the finish of a Cybertruck?
13:56 Cybertruck Easter egg
17:51 Did Franz expect the reactions to the Cybertruck's design?
20:38 No other car company would greenlight something like the Cybertruck
22:06 Will there be a Cybercar?
22:58 Is the Cybertruck design done?
24:15 The Cybertruck's doors
24:49 Yoke steering on the Cybertruck
25:23 Are there features on the Cybertruck we don't know about yet?
26:39 What Franz thinks of the other EV pickup trucks
28:08 Next-gen Roadster status update
29:59 Constantly working on the Model S
31:14 How long was the Model S refresh in the works?
33:09 The new steering wheel option on the Model S and Model X
34:08 The recent design change to the back of the Model S and Model X
35:55 Cybertruck don't need no stinking badges
36:19 Franz on the capacitive touch buttons on the yoke
37:22 New Model S's much lower drag coefficient
39:30 How many times has the Model S been completely redesigned under the skin?
40:24 Franz on Tesla seats
41:38 How full autonomy changes Franz's thought process
42:55 Vehicle paint colors
45:30 Will the stalks get deleted on the Model 3 and Model Y too?
46:26 Franz's thoughts on the Model Y likely becoming the world's best-selling passenger vehicle
48:25 Franz on Tesla vehicle safety
49:36 Franz's relationship with the Berlin and Shanghai Design Studios
50:40 Shortening the time between design and production
52:09 How has Franz's skillset grown in his time at Tesla?
53:29 If Franz could start the Model 3 over, what would he do?
54:40 Model 3 moving to the 4680 battery cells and structural battery pack?
55:32 What does Franz want his legacy to be?
56:49 What did Franz work on today?
58:15 Non-interview news: Tesla slashes vehicle prices across the board
1:12:37 Outro

Tesla’s Q4 production and delivery numbers are in, and I’ve got reactions and analysis. Plus: Tesla announces its first event of the year, Hertz’s big Model 3 investment is already paying off, the Model S and X get a steering wheel option as well as a few other tweaks, and more!
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier!
And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752.
P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/. Finally, pick up a 128gb or 256gb Sentry Mode/Dashcam kit at http://www.puretesla.com/rtl 

I make my annual New Year’s predictions for all things Tesla as 2023 gets started, including predictions on Cybertruck, Model 3, and Roadster. Plus: Tesla hits an important production milestone for the 4680 battery cells, California will no longer allow Tesla to market Full Self-Driving as Full Self-Driving, and more!
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier!
And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752.
P.S. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/. Finally, pick up a 128gb or 256gb Sentry Mode/Dashcam kit at http://www.puretesla.com/rtl 

Mexico emerges as a new frontrunner to get Tesla’s next Gigafactory, Tesla launches Tesla Electric in Texas, the first pieces of the 9,000-ton Gigapress needed to build the Cybertruck have arrived at Giga Texas, and more!
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support my efforts, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/teslapodcast and consider a monthly pledge. Every little bit helps and there are stacking bonuses in it for you at each pledge level, like early access to each episode at the $5 tier and the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode (AND the early access!) at the $10 tier!
And don't forget to leave a message on the Ride the Lightning hotline anytime with a question, comment, or discussion topic for next week's show! The toll-free number to call or Skype is 1-888-989-8752.
P.S. Find the right Xcelerate Xcare extended warranty plan for your Tesla at https://www.xcelerateauto.com/xcare and use the promo code LIGHTNING to get $100 off your policy. Get 15% off your first order of awesome aftermarket Tesla accessories at AbstractOcean.com by using the code RTLpodcast at checkout. Grab the SnapPlate front license plate bracket for any Tesla at https://everyamp.com/RTL/. Finally, pick up a 128gb or 256gb Sentry Mode/Dashcam kit at http://www.puretesla.com/rtl