Journalist Ed Niedermeyer discusses the disconnect between popular perceptions of Tesla and its reality, highlighting Elon Musk's sales tactics. They explore Tesla's manipulation of vehicle credits, allegations of fraud, safety concerns with Autopilot, Musk's marketing strategy, and the societal challenges of technological advancements.
Tesla exploited California's credit system with a non-functional battery-swapping system.
Tesla's autopilot technology poses risks due to misleading claims and safety concerns.
Deep dives
Ed Niedermeyer's Investigation into Tesla's Battery-Swapping System
Ed Niedermeyer, an automotive industry journalist, delves into Tesla's battery-swapping system experiment, which promised rapid battery exchanges but failed in reality. Despite a flashy demonstration staged by Elon Musk using techno music and a Tesla Model S, reality differed significantly. Niedermeyer witnessed long lines at the supercharger station and no evidence of the touted battery-swapping system, ultimately revealing a facade developed to exploit California's zero mission vehicle credit system.
The Manipulation of California's Zero Emissions Vehicle Credit System
Niedermeyer exposes Tesla's strategy of exploiting California's credit system by showcasing a non-functional battery-swapping system at a major press event. The loopholes in the credit rules allowed Tesla to earn substantial credits without actually implementing the system practically. By doubling its credits through a staged event, Tesla significantly boosted its financial standing and stock prices, showcasing a deceptive scheme.
Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Deception
Niedermeyer unravels the dangers of Tesla's autopilot and full self-driving technology, highlighting Elon Musk's misleading claims. Tesla's autopilot system, touted as nearly self-driving, led to fatal accidents due to overreliance on the technology. Musk's negligent approach to safety concerns and deceptive marketing tactics posed serious risks, with the company's approach becoming increasingly fraudulent.
Tesla's Veneer of Futurism Versus Reality
The podcast delves into Tesla's portrayal as a futuristic electric vehicle company, masking its reality as a traditional American car manufacturer. Despite claiming innovation, Tesla's cars align with classic American vehicles and exhibit poor manufacturing quality. This contrast between perception and reality underlines the challenge of transitioning to electric mobility while addressing the complexities of consumer expectations and industry dynamics.
Journalist Edward Niedermeyer has been reporting on the automobile industry -- and its blind spots -- since 2008. He co-hosts the Autonocast podcast, focusing on the future of transportation. And he is the author of “Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors.” In his book, Niedermeyer chronicles the electric car maker’s rise and lays bare the disconnect between the popular perception of Tesla and the day-to-day realities of the company, its products, and its peripatetic, billionaire CEO Elon Musk. Musk, Niedermeyer argues, is a huckster with a particular genius for selling implausible products and making old ideas feel futuristic and new. But his overwhelming wealth, influence, and cult-like following is making him a danger to the rest of us.
* * * * *This episode is sponsored by Cleverhood. Receive 20% off anything in the Cleverhood store using the new coupon code in this episode. Good through the end of July.
This episode was produced and edited by Aaron Naparstek. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Our logo was designed by Dani Finkel of Crucial D Designs.