Daisy’s Health Update:
One year ago, Daisy was hospitalized with an enlarged heart and lungs full of fluid. Despite the initial prognosis, Daisy has made a full recovery and is now in excellent health. The host expresses gratitude for Daisy’s recovery and encourages listeners to cherish their loved ones.

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen Podcast Interview:
Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen provided an update on the next-generation Roadster. Information about the Roadster’s performance, features, and release timeline remains scarce. Von Holzhausen emphasized the importance of creating a vehicle that lives up to the Roadster name and legacy.

Hertz Model 3 Rental Fleet:
Hertz is beginning to receive its massive fleet of Tesla Model 3 rental cars. The initial rollout of the Model 3 rental fleet is focused on major cities. The expansion of the Model 3 rental fleet to additional locations is expected soon.

Panasonic and Tesla’s 4680 Battery Cells:
Panasonic is ready to fulfill a substantial order for Tesla’s new 4680 battery cells. The 4680 battery cells are intended for use in Tesla’s upcoming vehicles, including the Cybertruck and Semi. Panasonic’s production of the 4680 battery cells is seen as a positive step in Tesla’s transition to new battery technology.

Roadster Development Status:
Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Head of Design, confirms that the next-generation Roadster is in active development. The development timeline has been extended to incorporate valuable lessons learned from the Plaid program.

Design Considerations:
The Roadster design will undergo a refresh to adapt to evolving technology and the passage of time. The design team is now focused on the Roadster, with the Cybertruck and Semi projects reaching advanced stages.

Potential Design Updates:
The design may become more aggressive to reflect its enhanced performance capabilities. The Roadster may adopt the SpaceX package with cold gas thrusters as a standard feature.

Reasons for SpaceX Package as Standard:
The Model S Plaid’s performance surpasses the original Roadster’s intended goals. Incorporating the SpaceX package would differentiate the Roadster and align with its unique positioning.

Historical Precedent:
Tesla has a history of refining prototypes into production-ready vehicles with significant design updates.

Franz’s Enthusiasm:
Franz von Holzhausen expresses excitement and passion for the Roadster project. He emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and delivering an exceptional product.

Roadster Improvements:
Franz von Holzhausen proposes making the SpaceX package standard on every Roadster to set it apart from other supercars and emphasize its performance capabilities. He argues that the backseat is unnecessary and eliminates it to make room for the SpaceX thrusters, which would enable 0-60 mph acceleration in 1.1 seconds. Franz believes the Roadster will be even more impressive than the Plaid S due to the lessons learned during the Plaid S’s development.

Cybertruck’s Broken Window:
Franz von Holzhausen shares his experience during the Cybertruck unveiling, where the Tesla armor glass windows broke twice. He admits that the window breaking was not intended and that they had practiced the ball-throwing demonstration beforehand without any issues. Despite the mishap, Franz highlights the positive outcome, as it generated significant publicity for Tesla and led to the creation of merchandise embracing the broken window moment.

Most Memorable Moment in Tesla History:
Franz von Holzhausen recalls the day of the Model 3 event as the most memorable moment in Tesla’s history for him. He describes the hectic preparations, with cars still being assembled and painted at the last minute, and the surprise at seeing a lineup of people waiting outside Tesla stores to place orders for the Model 3, even before they had seen the car.

Initial Assumptions and Hype:
Prior to its release, the Tesla Model 3 garnered significant attention and anticipation. Many assumed it would be a lower-cost, more accessible version of the successful Model S. The assumption of affordability and accessibility was a major draw for potential buyers.

Overwhelming Demand and Early Success:
On the night of its launch event, Tesla received 130,000 orders for the Model 3. This unprecedented level of demand, even before anyone had seen the car in person, indicated that Tesla might have created something truly special.

Personal Experience and Podcast Episode:
The speaker, Franz von Holzhausen, had been planning to purchase the Model 3 himself. He had been following Tesla’s progress and eagerly anticipating the release of the affordable car. In episode 35 of his podcast, “Spike’s Car Radio,” Holzhausen captured the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Model 3’s launch.

Camping Overnight and Attending the Unveiling:
Holzhausen camped overnight to be near the front of the line for reservations. He interviewed fellow line-goers and captured their enthusiasm for the Model 3. Holzhausen attended the Model 3 unveiling event in Los Angeles. He conducted interviews with people at the event and even had the chance to test-ride the Model 3 for the first time.

Episode 35 as a Time Capsule:
Holzhausen believes that episode 35 of his podcast serves as a time capsule, capturing the excitement and anticipation for the Model 3. He is proud of how the episode turned out and considers it a valuable record of that significant moment.

Hertz’s Model 3 Rental Fleet:
Hertz has begun receiving its fleet of Model 3 rental cars. The email sent to customers by Hertz highlights the lower emissions and energy efficiency of the Model 3.

Hertz Expansion and Model 3 Availability:
Hertz is promoting Tesla Model 3 rentals in seven major cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando. The marketing push suggests that Hertz has a decent inventory of Model 3s in these markets. Tesla may be building batches of identically configured white base Model 3s specifically for Hertz, which would streamline production and distribution. If traveling to these cities, checking with Hertz for a Model 3 rental is recommended.

Panasonic’s 4680 Battery Order:
Panasonic has received a large order for 4680 battery cells from Tesla. Panasonic’s CFO, Hirokazu Umeda, stated that Tesla’s request was extremely strong and that they plan to prioritize Tesla’s supply once verifications are complete. Bloomberg reported that Tesla has put in an exceptionally strong request for the 4680 batteries.

Tesla and Panasonic’s Partnership:
Tesla and Panasonic have a long and fruitful relationship, with Panasonic being Tesla’s partner at Gigafactory Nevada. Panasonic has been a vital partner for Tesla since its founding in 2003, playing a significant role in the development and production of Tesla’s electric vehicles. Tesla needs Panasonic to achieve its goal of producing 20 million cars per year by the end of the decade, as they aim to fulfill their large goals and meet the high demand for electric vehicles.

Biden Acknowledges Tesla:
President Joe Biden has acknowledged Tesla’s leading position in the American EV manufacturing race, recognizing them as the nation’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer. Biden mentioned Tesla alongside other iconic companies like GM and Ford, showcasing the company’s significant contribution to the growth of the electric vehicle industry in the United States. Biden’s acknowledgment of Tesla is a notable shift from the administration’s previous stance, where they had refrained from mentioning Tesla despite their focus on promoting EV manufacturing.

Tesla’s Political Significance:
The Biden administration’s reluctance to mention Tesla was likely due to political reasons, with the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, being a vocal critic of the administration. Despite the political differences, Biden’s acknowledgment of Tesla highlights the company’s undeniable impact on the electric vehicle industry and its role in shaping the future of transportation.

Biden and GM:
Biden has often praised Ford and GM, but not Tesla, for their electric vehicle (EV) efforts. Biden has held EV summits without inviting Tesla.

Biden’s Shift in Tone:
Recently, Biden mentioned Tesla in a positive light, possibly due to pressure from the White House. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also mentioned Tesla in an interview, recognizing its contributions to EV innovation.

Administration’s Stance on Unions and American Manufacturing:
The administration supports the right to join unions and believes unions contribute to the middle class. The administration values American innovation, including Tesla’s role in promoting EVs.

Tesla’s Response to Chip Shortage:
To address the global chip shortage, Tesla has reportedly removed one of two electronic control units from the steering racks of Shanghai-built Model 3s and Model Ys. The removed chip is deemed non-critical to the vehicle’s operation and was mainly used as a backup system. Tesla employees stated that the removed control unit is only required for Level 3 autonomous cars, which Tesla vehicles do not currently support.

Tesla’s Agility in Manufacturing:
Tesla’s ability to make rapid adjustments while maintaining high production speed is a significant strength compared to legacy automakers. Tesla’s continuous optimization and refreshing of its vehicles, with frequent changes to components and improvements, has been a hallmark of the company. The process for identifying and implementing these changes may involve individual engineers raising issues to managers or a broader reevaluation by a managerial team. Tesla’s agility has become a competitive advantage, particularly in recent years.

Tesla’s Decision to Remove Backup Control Unit in China:
Tesla has removed the backup control unit from its vehicles in China, a move seen as a cost-saving measure and a response to the chip shortage. The decision raises questions about whether there are government regulations in the United States that require cars to have a backup control unit. Tesla’s continuous efforts to overcome the chip shortage through various means are highlighted.

Ride the Lightning Hotline:
Franz von Holzhausen invites listeners to participate in the Ride the Lightning Hotline segment by calling in or leaving a message with their questions or comments. Callers can share their thoughts on Tesla and electric vehicles, and special occasions can be celebrated with recorded voices from friends and family. Instructions for submitting questions via email or calling the hotline are provided.

Cybertruck Production Projections:
Franz von Holzhausen clarifies Tesla’s Cybertruck production projections, stating the goal is to produce about a quarter million per year. He acknowledges the possibility of organic demand leading to higher production in the future, but emphasizes that Tesla’s current projections are more realistic. He draws a parallel to the Model 3’s initial production projections, which were increased due to overwhelming demand.

Safety Score and Racing Events:
Chris from Chicago responds to concerns about his high-risk driver status due to participating in racing events. He clarifies that racing events require safety classes and instructors, and that safety is the top priority. He also highlights the lack of insurance coverage for damages incurred during racing events, and mentions purchasing supplemental high-performance driver education insurance. Chris expresses his dissatisfaction with his everyday driving insurance being negatively affected by his participation in racing events, which are outside the scope of standard coverage.

Questions and Considerations on Autopilot:
Joey from Columbus, Ohio calls in with two questions regarding Tesla’s autopilot feature: Why doesn’t autopilot include auto lane change on the highway, requiring manual disengagement and engagement? Why does autopilot wait until the last minute to slow down, leading to sudden braking instead of gradual regen braking?

Franz’s Response:
Franz shares positive news regarding the second question: Tesla has rolled out an update in version 10.8 of the FSD beta branch that addresses this issue. The update enables autopilot to slow down more gradually using regen braking, enhancing the natural feel of deceleration. Regarding the first question, Franz agrees with Joey’s sentiment: He believes that including lane change capability in the basic autopilot package would improve safety and reduce the need for manual intervention. However, Tesla has not made any changes to this feature in the past three years, suggesting that they may not prioritize its implementation.

Kent’s Story of Survival and Gratitude:
Kent from Utah calls in to share his experience of being involved in a serious car accident while driving his Model 3. He was struck by a truck going 80 miles per hour at a four-way stop, resulting in his Model 3 spinning but not flipping. Despite sustaining injuries, including a broken clavicle, broken teeth, and bruises, Kent survived the accident and attributes his survival to the safety features of his Tesla. He emphasizes that the full self-driving feature, which he purchased for $6,000 when he initially got the car, played a crucial role in saving his life. He expresses his gratitude to Tesla for prioritizing safety and acknowledges that he would not have survived the accident in another car. Kent also mentions that he purchased a Model Y for his family several months ago for safety reasons and feels even more confident in that decision after his experience.

Franz’s Reaction and Concluding Remarks:
Franz expresses shock and amazement upon seeing the pictures of Kent’s mangled Model 3. He acknowledges that modern cars are designed to crumple to absorb kinetic force, but the extent of the damage to Kent’s car highlights the severity of the accident. Franz emphasizes that Teslas are objectively the safest cars on the road, based on numerous stories of survival in life-or-death situations. He reiterates that while other safe cars exist, Teslas stand out in this aspect, making them a valuable choice for those who prioritize safety for themselves and their families. Franz expresses his hope for Kent’s speedy recovery and extends an invitation to meet up in San Francisco or Utah in the future.

Pete’s Call:
Pete, known for abstractocean.com, responded to Cody’s question about data capability in new Tesla USB ports. The data capability has been removed from the center console USB ports in Model 3 and Y. The only port that supports data now is the one in the glovebox, which is often occupied by the CenturyStick.

Good News:
The data cable is still present behind the center console USB ports, tied to the power cable. Abstractocean.com is developing a module that will allow users to plug the data cable back in. This module will reinstate data capability on those ports, enabling music uploads, gamepad connections, etc.

Availability:
The module is expected to be available by the end of the month. Interested individuals can visit abstractocean.com.usb for product details and availability updates.

Coupon Code:
Use the coupon code “RTLpodcast” for a 15% discount on the first order at abstractocean.com.

Pete’s Contribution:
Pete is commended for staying informed about community needs and providing solutions when Tesla makes changes that unintentionally cause issues.

Future Phone Calls:
Franz encourages listeners to call in and be a part of the podcast. Call-in instructions were provided earlier in the segment.

Upcoming Content:
Pro tip of the week and more content will follow after the break.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta Rollout and Franz’s Experience:
Franz von Holzhausen, a Tesla designer and enthusiast, expressed his curiosity about the delayed rollout of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta versions 10.10 and 10.11. The majority of the 60,000 beta testers, including Franz, have not received version 10.10. Tesla has abruptly halted the rollouts of the last two beta versions, leaving many testers, including Franz, eagerly waiting for the stack merge in version 11.

FSD Stack’s Assertiveness and Improved Passing Maneuvers:
Franz prefers the FSD stack over the vision-only highway autopilot due to its assertiveness. The FSD stack accelerates more quickly to the desired passing speed, preventing awkward situations where other vehicles may come up from behind.

Recurring RCM2 Error Code During School Carpool:
Franz encountered an RCM2 A094 error code three times during one drive while taking his kids to school. The error code was related to a connection to a sensor, possibly on the seatbelt. Several Instagram followers reported experiencing the same error, with some indicating that it recurred after a mobile service fix and required a seat replacement.

Concern about Limited Warranty Period:
Franz’s Tesla has about five months of full warranty remaining, and he hopes the RCM2 error reoccurs quickly to allow for a fix under warranty. His service appointment is scheduled for about a week and a half later, and he will keep listeners updated on the outcome.

Pro Tip of the Week:
The Pro Tip of the Week segment, contributed by Jack from Brisbane, Australia, will be discussed in a separate section.

Pro Tip for Fixing Blinded Repeater Cameras:
Jack from Australia suggests a DIY solution to fix repeater cameras that are blinded by indicator lights at night. The solution involves drilling small holes in the camera housing and using paint to block the light from the LED. A video tutorial by Tesla Gurus on YouTube provides detailed instructions.

Franz’s Personal Experience:
Franz suffers from the same issue with his repeater cameras but is hesitant to attempt the DIY fix due to his lack of expertise with tools. He acknowledges that the DIY method may void the warranty on the repeaters.

Coupon Code and Product Recommendations:
Franz mentions abstractocean.com for a variety of products and offers a coupon code. He also recommends the Snap Plate from everyamp.com/RTL, a front license plate bracket that is grill-safe, paint-safe, radiator-safe, and autopilot-safe.

Budget-Safe Solar:
Franz encourages listeners to consider Budget Safe Solar for their solar energy needs. He describes them as a “real estate agent” for solar, helping customers find the best option for their specific situation.

Sponsors and Referral Codes:
Budgetsafesolar.com with referral code RTL for solar solutions IRDetailing.com for auto detailing services, mention Ride the Lightning for a discount Puretesla.com/RTL for a long-term dashcam/sentry mode solution GetJada.com/ref/8 with coupon code RTL for Jada accessories Patreon.com/TeslaPodcast for early access and bonus content

Social Media and Contact Information:

Instagram and Twitter: @DMC_Ryan Email: teslapodcast@gmail.com

Shoutouts to Patreon Supporters:
Plaid tier: Peter, George Cassiopo, David Brander, Logan Willis, Jason Chalukas, Tim Hyde, Peter Chalet, Eric Randolph, David Nandal, Dory and Steve Gooberman, Jeremy, Tesla Owners of Taiwan, Ron Lee, Charlie Gillespie, David Perella, Sunil Joseph, Dennis Peek, Jeff Angwin, Chase Cabanillas, The Lydia Family, Aaron Altshule, Jared Brown, Jerome Strack, Jamie Dalton, Noel and Lucy Murphy, the Tesla Owners East Bay Club, Ryan Natchit, Mike and Barbara from Louisville, David J. Howes, Travis Krenzel, Matt Nixon, the Tesla Owners Club of Wisconsin, Jonathan Zelezny, Rick Dean, Not Elon Musk, and T. Kirk Lowry Maximum Plaid tier: EVSpeedy.com, Jonathan Wales, Cameron Clark, Daniel Grummer, Seth Capello, Nick and Tony, TeslaHitchhiker42, John Schmidt, Stan Roth, TheGalpinFamily, Ryan from Las Vegas, Darren Nickel, Kaz Barnes, Ulrich Lassa, Brett Libeno, Patrick Wisneski, Gil Cabrera, Hay Watley, Eric Brown, Mark Eversole, Todd Badger, Joe Edgell, Kevin Yank, the Tesla Owners Club of San Joaquin Valley, Michael Williams, Will Stedman, Mait Suaru, Derek Nesselrode, Justin Perez, Jeremy Harris, Chris Beach, Tom Mills, Alex Brehm, Zachary Howard, Tyler Smith, Corey O’Donnell, Matthew Graham Droneberger, Scott Gillis, Aaron Huxley, John Cody, Aaron, SonarTech77, Andre Kent, Joel Sapp, Kim Bae, and Paul Casarino Roadster in Space tier: Pete White, Lyle Austin, Steve Radspinner, Fernando Cordero, Lawton from Chicago, Sean Neidig, Scooter Ward, Neil Weaver, Jackson Wallace, Crafty Geek, Richard Stokes, Rolf and Jennifer Evers, and Howard Anthony Smith