Model Y is rapidly rising up the rankings of the world’s best-selling cars, the latest Cybertruck beta version shows off a new styling feature, a Giga Mexico announcement seems more certain and imminent than ever, Tesla is the best brand at stealing customers – and keeping them for a long time, 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 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 

A picture of the Cybertruck’s frame leaks, and none other than Sandy Munro has some thoughts on it. Plus: the holiday software update arrives earlier than expected for the Tesla fleet and brings with it some really fun new features, Tesla rolls out more Megachargers for the Tesla Semi, 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 

A follow-up to last week’s big Model 3 revamp story sheds some light on when we might see the updated sedan in the United States, we’ve got out first intel on what new goodies are due to be included in the imminent holiday software update, another country vies for a Gigafactory, 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 

Tesla makes a couple of noteworthy revelations while delivering the first production Semi trucks, a new report suggests that a “revamped” Model 3 is on the way next year, Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen gives a rare interview and discusses the Cybertruck, 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 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 that plus the weekly Lightning Round bonus mini-episode 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. And if you're ordering a Jeda Wireless Charging Pad or USB Hub Console for Model 3/Y (coupon code RTL), please use my referral link: https://getjeda.com/ref/8/. 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