AD #4284 - Mustang Cobra Jet Sets New EV Drag Record; China Price War Spreads to Europe; Tesla Offers Free Supercharging to Boost Sales
About this episode
Ford’s all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet just reset the quarter-mile EV drag record, running 6.87 seconds at 221 mph with 2,200 horsepower and a five-speed transmission. The show also digs into how China’s brutal price war is spilling into Europe, forcing automakers to slash prices while Chinese brands like Xiaomi ramp up a premium push from a Munich R&D base. Tesla is countering softer sales with a year of free Supercharging on Model 3 Performance and Premium trims, while the episode also covers 48-volt architecture, steer-by-wire, and Joby’s New York air-taxi demo flights.
price war in China spreading to Europe
"Uh Oh, looks like the price war in China is spreading to Europe. Chinese automakers are growing quickly in Europe... so automakers in Europe are cutting prices to try and hold on to market share."
When companies start selling cars for much less, other countries feel the pressure too. Automakers may cut prices to keep customers, but that can hurt profits and lead to cost-cutting in the supply chain.
The hosts describe how aggressive pricing by Chinese automakers is pressuring European automakers to cut prices too. That can squeeze automaker profits and force companies to chase volume through exports, affecting suppliers and jobs across the industry.
Shaomi
"That's why Shaomi is opening an R and D center in Munich and is headhunted key personnel away from Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and Lamborghini."
The hosts are saying Shaomi is setting up a research team in Germany and hiring experienced people from big car brands. The goal is to make cars that fit what European customers want.
The transcript says Shaomi is opening an R&D center in Munich and hiring talent from major European automakers. That’s a signal of a deliberate push to build cars tailored for European buyers—especially around performance, dynamics, and premium design.
Tesla Model
"...That would be about ten thousand euro less than a Tesla Model wide performance in thirty thousand euro less tha..."
The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV, meaning it runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It’s designed for daily driving and family use, with space similar to other small SUVs. The podcast is likely comparing its price to other Tesla models, especially the more expensive performance versions.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV known for combining everyday practicality with an all-electric powertrain. It’s often discussed in pricing and model-comparison conversations because small changes in trim or performance can significantly affect the total cost. In this podcast context, it sounds like the discussion is centered on how much cheaper (or more expensive) the Model Y is compared with higher-performance Tesla variants.
Joby Aviation
"Joby Aviation is going to demonstrate its electric air taxis in New York City this week... but it still needs approval from the faa."
Joby Aviation is the company behind the electric air-taxi demonstrations. They’re testing flights now, but passenger service depends on getting the right approvals.
Joby Aviation is highlighted as the company demonstrating electric air taxis in New York. The hosts connect its test flights to regulatory approval needs and future plans for passenger service.
electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (EV talls)
"Joby will fly its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft or EV talls between JFK Airport and Manhattan over the next ten days."
They’re describing an electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically, without needing a long runway. The idea is to test routes and the infrastructure needed for future passenger service.
Joby Aviation’s aircraft are described as EV “vertical takeoff and landing” vehicles, meaning they can lift off and land vertically like a helicopter but are electrically powered. The segment also notes they’re part of a pilot program to develop infrastructure for these operations.
Department of Transportation pilot program
"The trips are part of a Department of Transportation pilot program to allow cities to develop infrastructure for EV tolls and for the public to get familiar with them."
This is a government-run trial to help cities prepare for a new type of transportation. It’s about building the right infrastructure and learning how things work safely.
The hosts say the flights are part of a U.S. Department of Transportation pilot program. These pilots are meant to help cities plan infrastructure and procedures so new mobility tech can be evaluated safely before scaling up.
FAA approval
"Joby is aiming to start passenger flights in New York, Texas, and Florida in the second half of this year, but it still needs approval from the faa."
Even if a company can fly its aircraft, it still needs government permission to carry passengers. The FAA is the U.S. agency that checks safety and rules for aviation.
The transcript notes Joby still needs approval from the FAA before starting passenger flights. FAA approval is a regulatory step that typically covers safety, aircraft certification, and operational rules.
Apollo Global Management
"US Asset management company Apollo Global Management is acquiring French supplier for VIA's auto interior business."
Apollo is a company that’s buying another business. The hosts say the purchase is expected to improve finances and support the supplier’s operations.
Apollo Global Management is named as acquiring a French supplier’s auto interior business. The segment frames the deal as helping reduce net debt and expanding the supplier’s scale across manufacturing and R&D.
VIA's auto interior business
"...acquiring French supplier for VIA's auto interior business. The deal is worth one point eight billion euro..."
The transcript discusses VIA’s auto interior business being acquired, including details like revenue share, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers. This is relevant because interior suppliers are a major part of vehicle cost and production capacity.
Intrepid
"Intrepid specializes in network interfacing, data logging, simulation, and gateway capabilities. Intrepid's Neovi cloud platform provides real time data collection..."
Intrepid provides tools that help car makers test and troubleshoot vehicles before they go on sale. It uses data and cloud software to find problems and support updates remotely.
Intrepid is described as providing network hardware/software and a cloud platform for vehicle platform testing and validation. The segment emphasizes data logging, simulation, root-cause identification, and remote update deployment to help vehicles be cleared for production.
Neovi cloud platform
"Intrepid's Neovi cloud platform provides real time data collection, instant cloud upload, intelligent detection, advance issue analysis, root cause identification, and remote update deployment."
Neovi is a software system that collects vehicle data and sends it to the cloud. It helps engineers spot issues quickly and push updates without having to take the car apart.
Neovi is presented as Intrepid’s cloud platform for real-time vehicle data collection and analysis. The transcript lists capabilities like instant upload, intelligent detection, root-cause identification, and remote update deployment.
quarter mile on a prepared drag strip
"Ford has the fastest ev in the world, at least for a quarter mile on a prepared drag strip. And he beat its own previous record..."
The hosts describe measuring EV performance over a quarter mile on a prepared drag strip, which is a controlled surface designed for consistent traction. This matters because drag-strip conditions can strongly affect acceleration and top speed comparisons.
Ford Mustang
"on the all electric Mustang Cobridgjet, taking it from eighteen hundred up to twenty two hundred horse power and even drop the weight to just over thirty three hundred pounds."
They’re talking about a special electric Ford Mustang built to run fast in drag races. They mention how much power it makes, how light it is, and how quickly it can be ready for the next run.
This segment discusses an all-electric Ford Mustang drag car (the transcript’s “Mustang Cobridgjet” appears to be a misspelling) built for straight-line performance. The hosts highlight power output, vehicle weight, and how quickly the car can be prepared for another run—key factors in drag racing.
drag racing
"The battery can be charged in about twenty minutes, so the team can get ready for another run within forty five minutes, which is the standard for drag racing."
Drag racing is racing in a straight line where you try to get to the finish as fast as you can. Since cars often run multiple times, things like how fast you can recharge and how the car launches matter a lot.
Drag racing is a timed, straight-line motorsport where the goal is to accelerate as quickly as possible over a short distance. Because runs are repeated back-to-back, charging time, tire prep, and drivetrain behavior at launch are especially important.
direct drive
"While most evs are direct drive, the Mustang Cobridget twenty two hundred has a five speed transmission, and Ford even got a patent for the clutch that it had to design."
Direct drive refers to an EV layout where the motor is connected to the wheels through a single reduction gear (often effectively one gear). This simplifies the drivetrain and reduces moving parts compared with multi-speed transmissions.
five speed transmission
"While most evs are direct drive, the Mustang Cobridget twenty two hundred has a five speed transmission, and Ford even got a patent for the clutch that it had to design."
A five-speed transmission in an EV is used to keep the electric motor operating in its most effective speed range. Even though many EVs use a single-speed setup, multi-speed gearboxes can help optimize acceleration and control traction during launches.
clutch
"The clutch on a drag car normally slips a little bit at launch to kind of ease the power in, but Fords is fully locked to harness all that EV motor torque and only slips at the top of a gear so it doesn't spin the tighter when the driver grabs."
A clutch is a friction device that can connect or disconnect the drivetrain components. In a drag-focused EV with a multi-speed gearbox, the clutch strategy can control how torque is applied at launch to manage traction and drivetrain shock.
EV motor torque
"The clutch on a drag car normally slips a little bit at launch to kind of ease the power in, but Fords is fully locked to harness all that EV motor torque and only slips at the top of a gear so it doesn't spin the tighter when the driver grabs."
Torque is the twisting force that accelerates the car, and EVs can produce it very quickly from low speed. Drag launches are largely about delivering that torque to the tires without excessive wheelspin.
free supercharging for a year
"It's offering free supercharging for a year in North America with the purchase of a new premium or performance version of the Model three."
Tesla is offering free fast-charging for new buyers for a year. That can lower how much you spend on charging and make the car a better deal.
This is a sales incentive where Tesla covers charging costs at its Supercharger network for a limited time. For buyers, it can reduce the effective cost of ownership and make higher-priced trims feel more attractive.
Model three
"It's offering free supercharging for a year in North America with the purchase of a new premium or performance version of the Model three."
They’re talking about Tesla’s Model 3. It’s one of Tesla’s most common cars, and the incentive is tied to buying a new one.
The transcript refers to Tesla’s Model 3 as the vehicle eligible for a free Supercharging incentive. The Model 3 is Tesla’s mainstream compact sedan, so incentives like this can directly influence volume sales.
supercharger station
"The company claims non Tesla owners pay about forty percent more to use a supercharger station than a Tesla owner does."
Supercharger stations are Tesla’s fast-charging locations. The episode claims non-Tesla drivers pay more than Tesla drivers to use them.
Tesla Supercharger stations are part of Tesla’s fast-charging network designed for high-power charging. Pricing and access can differ between Tesla owners and non-Tesla vehicles, affecting the real-world cost of charging.
kilowatts of charging a month
"which could pay for itself with eighty to one hundred kilowatts of charging a month."
Kilowatts (kW) measure charging power, and the episode uses “kilowatts per month” as a way to estimate how much charging value the free membership could cover. It’s a rough way to compare the incentive’s cost against expected charging usage.
48 volt tech
"everyone knows that forty eight volts would be significantly more efficient, but automakers have been reluctant to make the switch because it requires most components to be redesigned for forty eight volt."
A 48-volt electrical system is a step up from the traditional 12-volt architecture used in most cars. Higher voltage can improve efficiency and enable more powerful electrification features, but it requires redesigning many components to handle the new voltage.
Tesla Cybertruck
"But that's beginning to change. Tesla Cybertruck was the first to adopt forty eight volt tech, and now Bosh, the largest component supplier in the world, is joining forces with Chinese automaker Cherry to develop a forty eight volt architecture."
The segment credits the Tesla Cybertruck with being the first vehicle to adopt 48-volt technology. That matters because it signals Tesla’s willingness to redesign the electrical architecture to unlock new electrification capabilities.
Cherry
"...Bosh, the largest component supplier in the world, is joining forces with Chinese automaker Cherry to develop a forty eight volt architecture."
“Cherry” likely refers to Chery, a Chinese automaker. The segment frames Chery as collaborating with Bosch to develop a 48-volt vehicle architecture, which would affect future power and electronics design across models.
Bosh
"Tesla Cybertruck was the first to adopt forty eight volt tech, and now Bosh, the largest component supplier in the world, is joining forces with Chinese automaker Cherry to develop a forty eight volt architecture."
“Bosh” in the transcript appears to refer to Bosch, a major global automotive supplier. The episode claims Bosch is partnering with a Chinese automaker to develop a 48-volt architecture, highlighting how suppliers drive electrical-platform changes.
drive by wire, break by wire
"So maybe we're on the verge of seeing an industry wide change because this is the tech that makes drive by wire, break by wire, electric turbocharging, autonomous driving, and a host of other technologies both feasible and affordable."
Instead of using cables and direct mechanical connections, drive-by-wire and brake-by-wire use electronics to control steering and braking. It can make advanced safety features possible, but it relies on reliable sensors and computers.
“Drive-by-wire” and “brake-by-wire” describe replacing mechanical linkages with electronic controls. This enables more flexible vehicle control and is often a prerequisite for advanced driver-assistance and autonomy features, but it depends on robust sensors, software, and redundancy.
electro mechanical braking system
"It completed development of its electro mechanical braking system so no hydraulic brake lines, and says it's now market ready."
An electro-mechanical braking system uses electric actuation (motors/actuators) to apply braking force rather than relying on hydraulic pressure. This can eliminate hydraulic brake lines and can integrate more directly with software-based driver-assistance systems.
hydraulic brake lines
"It completed development of its electro mechanical braking system so no hydraulic brake lines, and says it's now market ready."
Hydraulic brake lines carry brake fluid to transmit force from the brake pedal to the calipers. The transcript contrasts this with an electro-mechanical approach that can remove those lines, which can simplify packaging and enable different control strategies.
L3 and higher level Advanced driver assistant systems
"The system and its software helps support L three and higher level Advanced driver assistant systems and next year's steer by wire technology, so no mechanical link between the steering wheel and tires will go into production vehicles..."
“L3” refers to SAE driving automation levels, where the car can handle driving tasks under certain conditions and the driver must be ready to take over. The segment suggests electro-mechanical braking and steer-by-wire are important enablers for higher-level driver-assistance because they allow precise, software-controlled actuation.
steer by wire
"...and next year's steer by wire technology, so no mechanical link between the steering wheel and tires will go into production vehicles from several global automakers in the next twelve months."
Steer-by-wire replaces the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels with electronic control. This can improve packaging and allow the car to tailor steering feel and stability control, but it requires redundant electronics and fail-safe strategies.
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