According to Sundar Pichai, Waymo may be open to selling you a self-driving car

During Alphabet’s recent earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that Waymo is considering selling autonomous vehicles for personal ownership, marking a potential strategic expansion beyond its current ride-hailing services. This “future optionality around personal ownership” represents a significant evolution for the autonomous vehicle pioneer that has primarily focused on commercial fleet operations until now.

Historical Context and Current Partnerships

2018 Chrysler Partnership: Waymo previously collaborated with Chrysler to develop autonomous Pacifica minivans, exploring private ownership models
Current Commercial Operations: Waymo maintains partnerships with Moove in Miami and Uber in Austin (with Atlanta expansion coming soon)
Global Expansion: The company recently began testing in Japan, demonstrating its growing international presence

The Emerging Personal AV Market Landscape

Waymo’s Potential Consumer Offering

While details remain scarce, industry analysts speculate that Waymo’s consumer vehicles might feature:

The same advanced sensor suite (including lidar) used in current Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis
Five-seat configurations similar to existing fleet vehicles
Potentially higher price points reflecting their premium technology

Tesla’s Competing Vision

Elon Musk has outlined Tesla’s very different approach:

Cybercab Concept: A $30,000 two-seater targeting 2026 availability
Minimalist Design: No steering wheel and camera-only perception system
Aggressive Timeline: Promises of “millions” of autonomous Teslas by late 2025

Critical Differences in Technology and Strategy

Sensor Philosophy

Waymo: Relies on comprehensive sensor arrays including lidar, radar and cameras
Tesla: Bets entirely on camera-based “Tesla Vision” with no lidar

Business Model Evolution

Waymo: Potentially transitioning from B2B to B2C while maintaining commercial operations
Tesla: Building on existing consumer sales while adding robotaxi functionality

Current Operational Reality

Waymo Advantage: Hundreds of vehicles already operating in multiple cities
Tesla’s Challenge: Still awaiting regulatory approval for fully autonomous operations

The Road Ahead for Personal AV Adoption

Key Challenges Both Companies Face

Regulatory Hurdles: Approval processes for consumer-owned autonomous vehicles
Insurance Complexities: Developing coverage models for owner-operated robotaxis
Maintenance Infrastructure: Creating service networks for advanced AV systems
Consumer Acceptance: Overcoming public skepticism about self-driving technology

Market Potential

Industry analysts project:

The global autonomous vehicle market could reach $2 trillion by 2030
Personal AVs may represent 30-40% of total AV sales by 2035
Early adopters likely to be tech enthusiasts and luxury vehicle buyers

Expert Perspectives on the Coming AV Wars

“Waymo’s potential move into consumer sales represents a natural evolution,” says Dr. Sarah Chen, MIT Mobility Initiative researcher. “Their rigorous approach to safety and proven technology gives them an advantage, but Tesla’s existing customer base and manufacturing scale present formidable competition.”

Automotive analyst James Follett notes: “The fundamental difference in sensor strategies will make for an interesting case study in AV development. We’re essentially seeing two completely different technological philosophies competing for the same market.”

What This Means for Consumers

As the personal AV market develops, potential buyers should consider:

Safety Records: Compare real-world performance data as it becomes available
Total Cost of Ownership: Factor in potential savings from robotaxi income
Geographic Availability: Services will likely roll out in select markets first
Technology Maturity: Early versions may have operational limitations

The coming years will prove crucial in determining whether Waymo’s methodical, safety-first approach or Tesla’s ambitious, scale-focused strategy will dominate the personal autonomous vehicle market. One thing is certain: the race to put self-driving cars in private garages is heating up.

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Cars

Elon Musk’s replacement was denied by the Tesla board

by George Mensah 2025-05-04

In late 2023, The Wall Street Journal dropped a bombshell report claiming Tesla’s board had quietly initiated a search for Elon Musk’s successor as CEO. According to anonymous sources familiar with the matter:

The board allegedly began the process approximately one month before the report
Multiple executive search firms were contacted, with one firm reportedly selected to lead the process
Directors supposedly urged Musk to publicly commit more time to Tesla

The timing is critical. This alleged search coincided with:

Tesla’s first year-over-year delivery decline since 2020 (8.5% drop in Q1 2024)
A 13% decline in annual revenue – the first since 2017
Musk’s increasingly polarizing political engagements

Tesla’s Furious Rebuttal and the Credibility Battle

Within hours of publication, Tesla launched an aggressive counterattack:

1. Official Statement from Chair Robyn Denholm:

Called the report “absolutely false”
Claimed the board remains “highly confident” in Musk’s leadership
Alleged the WSJ was informed of this before publication

2. Musk’s Personal Response:

Accused WSJ of “EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS”
Claimed the paper ignored Tesla’s “unequivocal denial”

Journalistic Standoff:
The WSJ maintains it:

Reached out to Musk for comment (received no response)
Never received any pre-publication statement from Tesla

This credibility battle raises serious questions about:

The independence of Tesla’s board
The reliability of anonymous sourcing
Musk’s increasingly adversarial relationship with mainstream media

Deep Dive: Tesla’s Board Composition and Governance Concerns

Tesla’s eight-member board has long faced criticism for its close ties to Musk:

Notable Members:

Kimbal Musk (Elon’s brother)
James Murdoch (son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch)
Ira Ehrenpreis (venture capitalist, Tesla director since 2007)
Robyn Denholm (Chair since 2018)

Governance Red Flags:

Lack of Independence: 5 of 8 directors have served over 10 years
Compensation Controversy: Approved Musk’s $56B pay package (later voided by court)
Recent Insider Selling: Denholm sold $50M+ in shares over 90 days

Expert Perspective:
“Tesla’s board fails nearly every test of good corporate governance,” says Charles Elson, founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. “The level of entrenchment and lack of independent oversight is unprecedented for a company of this size.”

The Five Critical Challenges Facing Tesla’s Leadership

1. The “Key Person” Risk

Musk isn’t just CEO – he’s Tesla’s:

Chief product architect
Primary technology visionary
Main public spokesperson

Succession Planning Reality:

Apple began grooming Tim Cook years before Steve Jobs’ passing
Microsoft had Satya Nadella in leadership pipeline before Ballmer’s exit
Tesla has no publicly identified successor

2. Musk’s Divided Attention

The billionaire currently oversees:

SpaceX (CEO)
Neuralink (Founder)
The Boring Company (Founder)
xAI (Founder)
X/Twitter (Owner)

Time Allocation Impact:

2023 analysis shows Musk spent <40% time at Tesla
Critical product launches (Cybertruck, Roadster) repeatedly delayed

3. Brand Erosion and Political Polarization

Musk’s recent activities:

Endorsed conservative political candidates
Acquired Twitter and reinstated banned accounts
Made controversial statements on gender, COVID, and other hot-button issues

Consumer Impact:

2023 survey showed 18% drop in brand favorability among Democrats
7% increase among Republicans (showing increasing politicization)

4. Operational Challenges

Production Issues:

Cybertruck production at 25% of targets
Model 3 Highland refresh delayed in North America

Financial Pressures:

Operating margins fell from 19% (2021) to 8% (2023)
$18B debt load with rising interest expenses

5. Technological Crossroads

Autonomy Delays:

Full Self-Driving (FSD) still at Level 2 after 10+ years
Major competitors (Waymo, Cruise) deploying robotaxis

Battery Innovation:

4680 cells not meeting energy density targets
Chinese competitors achieving faster charging speeds

Potential Succession Scenarios and Implications

Internal Candidates Analysis

1. Drew Baglino (Former SVP Powertrain & Energy)

Strengths: Deep technical expertise, 18-year Tesla veteran
Weaknesses: Limited public-facing experience, resigned April 2024

2. Tom Zhu (SVP Automotive)

Strengths: Turned around China operations, production expert
Weaknesses: Limited autonomy/AI experience

3. Lars Moravy (VP Vehicle Engineering)

Strengths: Product development leader, respected internally
Weaknesses: Unknown strategic vision

External Possibilities

Wildcard Option:
Could Tesla recruit an auto industry veteran like:

Jim Farley (Ford CEO)
Herbert Diess (Former VW CEO)

Tech Industry Options:

Jennifer Tejada (Former PagerDuty CEO)
Gwynne Shotwell (SpaceX COO)

Investor Perspectives: What the Street Is Saying

Bull Case:

“Musk is irreplaceable as a tech visionary” – Dan Ives, Wedbush
“Succession planning doesn’t equal imminent change” – Adam Jonas, Morgan Stanley

Bear Case:

“The board has failed shareholders by not planning sooner” – GLJ Research
“Tesla needs an operational CEO to complement Musk’s vision” – Bernstein

Institutional Investor Sentiment:

Vanguard and BlackRock both supported shareholder proposals for better succession planning
32% of votes favored independent chair proposal in 2023 (up from 26% in 2022)

Historical Precedents: Lessons From Tech Leadership Transitions

Successful Transitions:

Microsoft (Ballmer → Nadella)
- Key: Clear succession pipeline
- Result: $500B+ value creation
Apple (Jobs → Cook)
- Key: Multi-year transition period
- Result: Maintained innovation while scaling

Failed Transitions:

Uber (Kalanick → Khosrowshahi)
- Issue: Crisis-driven change
- Result: Years of instability
WeWork (Neumann → SoftBank takeover)
- Issue: No planning
- Result: Near-collapse

The Path Forward: Strategic Recommendations

For Tesla’s Board

Formalize Succession Plan
- Identify 2-3 internal candidates
- Establish mentorship program
Enhance Governance
- Add independent directors
- Separate Chair/CEO roles
Manage Transparent Communication
- Public roadmap for leadership development
- Clear timelines for any transitions

For Investors

Monitor These Key Metrics:
- Musk’s time allocation (via jet tracking, public appearances)
- Board refreshment (any new independent appointments)
- Succession-related disclosures in next proxy statement
Engagement Priorities:
- Push for formal succession committee
- Advocate for board independence

Conclusion: Why This Matters Beyond Tesla

The Tesla leadership saga represents a case study in:

Founder-led company challenges
Board governance in disruptive tech
Investor rights in high-growth firms

As Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood recently noted: “The market isn’t pricing in the key person risk at Tesla. When that changes, it could be dramatic.”

The coming months will prove crucial. Will Tesla:

Double down on Musk’s leadership?
Begin a gradual transition?
Face a crisis-driven change?

One thing is certain: How Tesla navigates this challenge will shape not just its future, but the broader conversation about leadership in transformative companies.

Cars

Is this the solution to the bloat issue in American trucks?

by George Mensah 2025-04-28

Last night, an audacious new automaker named Slate Auto unveiled its first vehicle—a minimalist, no-frills electric truck designed to combat America’s obsession with oversized, overpowered vehicles. With a target price under $20,000 (after incentives), 150 miles of range, and a stripped-back design, the Slate Truck is a bold experiment in right-sizing personal transportation.

But will it succeed in a market dominated by monster trucks and SUVs?

Why America’s Obsession With Bigger Trucks Is a Problem

1. The Rise of the “Land Yacht”

In 2024, trucks and SUVs made up 75% of new vehicle sales—up from just 50% a decade ago.
The average new car now weighs over 5,000 lbs (2.27 tons), with EVs like the Ford F-150 Lightning pushing 6,500 lbs.
Bigger vehicles = deadlier roads:
- Pedestrian deaths surged 57% from 2013–2022 (NHTSA).
- Trucks with tall hoods (40+ inches) are 44% more lethal (IIHS).

2. The “Compact Truck” Is Nearly Extinct

Ford Maverick (2024):
- 199.7 inches long, 83.5 inches wide
- Considered “small” by today’s standards
Slate Truck:
- 174.6 inches long, 70.6 inches wide
- Closer in size to a classic 1985 Toyota pickup

“Our roads are packed with roving land yachts. The Slate Truck is a throwback to when vehicles were sized for humans, not egos.”

Slate Truck: What You Get (And What You Don’t)

✅ The Good: Simple, Affordable, Functional

✔ **20KPriceTag∗∗–Halfthecostofanaveragenewcar(20KPriceTag∗∗–Halfthecostofanaveragenewcar(49,740).
✔ No Bloatware – No touchscreen, no stereo, no paint (keeps costs down).
✔ Smartphone-Centric – Uses a phone/tablet mount + basic gauge cluster.
✔ Practical Hauling – 1,433 lbs payload, 1,000 lbs towing (enough for most users).

❌ The Trade-Offs

150-Mile Range – Fine for city use, but not for road trips.
No Luxury Features – If you want Apple CarPlay or a premium sound system, look elsewhere.
Aftermarket Customization Required – Want paint? A stereo? You’ll have to DIY.

Could This Be the Start of a “Small Truck” Revival?

Why the Timing Might Be Right

EV Incentives – Federal tax credits could keep prices under $20K.
Younger Buyers – Gen Z and Millennials prefer affordability over status symbols.
Urban Living – Smaller trucks are easier to park in cities.

The Biggest Challenges

⚠ Consumer Psychology – Will buyers reject a “cheap” truck in a premium-obsessed market?
⚠ Political Risk – A Trump win could kill EV tax credits, raising the price.
⚠ Production Realities – Most EV startups fail. Can Slate deliver by 2026?

Verdict: A Long Shot, But a Necessary One

The Slate Truck isn’t for everyone—but it doesn’t need to be. If even 5% of truck buyers opt for a smaller, cheaper, more efficient alternative, it could shift the auto industry’s trajectory.

Final Question:

Would you drive a $20K electric truck with no frills?

Yes, if it saves money!
No, I need more power/luxury.

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