Key Highlights:
Robotaxi Revolution ๐ค๐: Musk’s unwavering vision for a driverless future almost sidelined the concept of a budget-friendly electric car.
Affordable EV Breakthrough โก๐: Tesla’s execs steer the ship towards a $25,000 electric vehicle, potentially changing the game in the fight against climate change.
Design Drama ๐จ๐ง: Tensions flare as engineers debate over a fully autonomous design versus a safer, conventional approach.
Musk’s penchant for robotaxis isn’t something of recent origin. The visionary CEO had a laser-focus on them, sidelining plans for a reasonably priced electric vehicle.
Tesla Execs Jump In ๐ผ
However, not all aboard the Tesla ship were ready to sail in Musk’s robotaxi direction. With a broader perspective in mind, some Tesla bigwigs prompted a rethink.
Havenโt listened to it yet, but any conversation with Walter & Lex will be great https://t.co/2e3s2G1ySi
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 10, 2023
$25,000 Electric Car: Why Is It a Big Deal? โก๐
- Climate Change Frontliner: An electric car priced at $25,000 would revolutionize the auto industry’s stance against global warming, offering affordable alternatives in a market dominated by gas-guzzlers.
- The US Market Scenario: Skyrocketing inflation coupled with a dearth of budget-friendly vehicles makes this even more pressing.
History Speaks ๐
Tesla’s vision, as articulated in their 2006 Master Plan, was always about a budget-friendly vehicle, fueled by the success of premium models. Did the plan pan out? Well, the Model 3’s price tag tells a different tale.
Musk’s Growing Obsession ๐
Musk wasn’t just fascinated; he was convinced that self-driving robotaxis were the future. Why?
- Monetizing Idle Vehicles: Imagine earning over $30,000 annually by simply letting your Tesla run chores.
- Changing Ownership Norms: Musk predicted a future where owning a car could become obsolete.
A Decisive Dinner in Austin ๐ฝ๏ธ
November 2021, a pivotal month. Musk’s vision took shape during an intimate brainstorming session over dinner. The goal? A basic robotaxi, but the ambition? A whopping 20 million units annually.
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The Design Dilemma โ๏ธ
Was it to be a half-baked autonomous car or one fully baked with all the tech? Regulatory hiccups were a concern.
Engineer’s Pragmatism vs Musk’s Vision ๐ง
While Musk’s conviction was unwavering, his engineers, grounded in reality, saw the potential pitfalls. The crux of the issue? The readiness of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology.
The Turning Point โณ
In an August 2022 rendezvous, Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s chief designer, dropped a bombshell: design a car with conventional features which can be detached later. Musk’s response was clear-cut: pure autonomy or bust!
Musk’s Unyielding Vision ๐
To Musk, a robotaxi wasn’t just another car. It was a revolutionary product, the kind that would etch Tesla’s name in history books.
Persuading the Visionary ๐ญ
His deputies had a challenging task. Convincing Musk required data, evidence, and a touch of finesse. Their trump card? A small, affordable global car could skyrocket Tesla’s growth.
The Production Epiphany ๐ญ
To Musk, Tesla’s success wasn’t just about the cars, but also about the method of their production. Presented with the idea of a unified assembly line for both the robotaxi and the $25,000 car, Musk saw potential.
The Design Revelation ๐จ
When Musk saw the designs for the robotaxi and the $25,000 EV side by side, his initial reservations evaporated. The future, it seemed, was now.
Sergio Richi
Editor, Logll Tech News