The Audi R8 is going away, but that doesn’t mean Audi is done with supercars. In fact, the company has confirmed that it is working on an all-electric supercar to replace the R8.
Audi’s technical head, Oliver Hoffmann, told Autocar that the new supercar will be built on a variety of modules from upcoming and existing Volkswagen Group EV platforms. This means that the new supercar could share some components with the Porsche Taycan and other electric vehicles from the VW Group.
Audi’s Future Supercar
Hoffmann also said that the new supercar will be “a performance monster.” This suggests that it will be powered by a powerful electric motor or motors that can produce quad-digit horsepower and insane acceleration numbers.
While Audi hasn’t announced a timeline for the launch of its new electric supercar, Car and Driver has reported that it might not be until 2029 until we see a replacement for the R8. This is likely because Audi is currently focused on its new mainstream lineup.
So, what does this all mean for Audi fans? It means that the company is still committed to making high-performance sports cars, even if they are electric. It also means that we have a long wait ahead of us before we see the new supercar, but it will be worth it when it finally arrives.
Image of the Audi R8
While it’s sad to see the R8 go, it’s exciting to think about what Audi has in store for the future. The new electric supercar has the potential to be even more impressive than the R8, and we can’t wait to see what Audi comes up with.
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
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
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.
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?
