TSLA earnings madness, Rivian layoffs, Ford pauses F-150 Lightning, more
About this episode
The latest episode dives into Tesla's recent earnings report, revealing a revenue of $28 billion but a decline in earnings, raising concerns about the company's growth. The hosts discuss Rivian's layoffs as it prepares for the R2 launch and Ford's pause on F-150 Lightning production due to supply chain issues. They also touch on GM's new level three autonomy features and Tesla's new solar panel production. The conversation highlights the challenges facing electric vehicle manufacturers and the evolving landscape of EV technology.
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla's earnings madness, Rivian layoffs, Ford pausing F-150 Lightning, and more.
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
- Tesla (TSLA) releases Q3 2025 financial results: earnings decline despite record revenue
- Elon Musk: Tesla is increasing EV production based on anticipated demand for self-driving
- Elon Musk says he needs $1 trillion to control Tesla’s robot army. Yes, really.
- Tesla announces production of a new solar panel in the US
- Tesla confirms electric semi truck production is delayed despite recently claiming otherwise
- Two former Tesla self-driving leaders are telling a different story than Elon Musk
- The Cadillac Escalade IQ will be GM’s first vehicle with eyes-off driving
- Rivian to lay off about 4% of staff to possibly lean down ahead of 2026 R2 launch [Update]
- Ford is halting F-150 Lightning production to focus on more profitable gas and hybrid trucks
- GM kills BrightDrop electric van production, blames ‘slow demand’ as sales were ramping
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
https://www.youtube.com/live/kt7YjRTnQG0level three autonomy
"...there was an interesting announcement about, I guess it's level three autonomy that they announced. They don't call it level three, but that's what it is."
Level three autonomy means the car can drive itself most of the time, but you still need to be ready to take control if something goes wrong. It's like having a really smart co-pilot that can handle driving in some situations.
Level three autonomy refers to a stage in automated driving where the vehicle can handle most driving tasks independently, but the driver must be ready to take over when requested. This level allows for limited self-driving capabilities in certain conditions, unlike lower levels that require constant driver supervision.
Ford F150 Lightning
"two vehicle programs that were, you know, sort of kill this week, or at least pause, and that's the F-150 lightning and the bright drop electric van. So two big bummers that we're going to have to discuss later on the show. We're going to have time to talk to you guys. So if"
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric pickup truck that looks like the regular F-150 but runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It's important because it shows how trucks can be more environmentally friendly while still being strong and useful.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of the popular F-150 pickup truck, representing Ford's commitment to electrifying its vehicle lineup. It combines the utility and performance of a traditional F-150 with zero emissions, making it significant in the shift towards sustainable transportation.
regulatory credits
"Tesla disclosed in the earnings report that they lost $1.4 billion in regulatory credits. So that's not like this quarter, like this quarter, I think they had like 400 something million in regulatory credits compared to like 700 the same period last year."
Regulatory credits are like rewards for car companies that make electric cars. They can sell these rewards to other companies that need them to follow environmental rules.
Regulatory credits are incentives given to automakers for producing electric vehicles or meeting certain environmental standards. These credits can be sold to other manufacturers who need them to comply with regulations.
CAFE standard
"...contracts that they had with automakers to buy their credit, $1.4 billion of that was erased due to the changes with the cafe standard and all that."
The CAFE standard is a rule that helps make cars use less fuel. It pushes car companies to create vehicles that are more efficient and better for the environment.
The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard is a set of regulations in the United States aimed at improving the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks sold in the country. It encourages manufacturers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.
FSD
"...the take rate on them all S and X for FSD is way higher, for example. Right. Because of that..."
FSD means Full Self-Driving, which is a technology from Tesla that allows their cars to drive themselves with little to no human input. It's a big deal for people looking for advanced car features.
FSD stands for Full Self-Driving, a feature offered by Tesla that aims to enable autonomous driving capabilities in their vehicles. It includes advanced driver-assistance features and is a significant selling point for Tesla cars.
Tesla Model Y
"...Time to get them on a Y. Yeah, I'm still leaning more towards model three, but..."
The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV from Tesla. It's known for being roomy and having lots of tech features, making it a good option for families or anyone needing more space.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV that shares many components with the Model 3 sedan. It offers spacious seating, advanced technology, and impressive performance, making it a popular choice among electric vehicle buyers.
Tesla Model 3
"...I'm still leaning more towards model three, but..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a smaller, more affordable electric car from Tesla. It's known for being efficient and having a simple design with a big screen for controls.
The Tesla Model 3 is a compact electric sedan that has gained popularity for its affordability, range, and performance. It features a minimalist interior with a central touchscreen for controls and is designed for efficiency and safety.
Tesla Semi
"...Tesla confirmed that Semi truck production Tesla Semi production has been delayed into next year. And I feel a little bit vindicated on this because if you remember this year I have a report on that saying that Tesla had delayed production into next year..."
The Tesla Semi is a large electric truck made by Tesla. It's designed to carry heavy loads and is more environmentally friendly than regular trucks that run on diesel fuel.
The Tesla Semi is an all-electric Class 8 truck designed for freight transport. It aims to reduce costs and emissions compared to traditional diesel trucks.
Class 8 truck
"...Tesla confirmed that Semi truck production Tesla Semi production has been delayed into next year..."
Class 8 trucks are big trucks used for transporting heavy loads. They are the largest type of trucks on the road and can carry a lot of weight.
Class 8 trucks are the heaviest classification of trucks, typically used for long-haul freight transport. They have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 33,000 pounds.
MSRP
"...we need to know the pricing because we know the price of increase we know it's not $180,000 for the 500 mile version like it originally was..."
MSRP is the price that the car maker suggests you pay for a vehicle. It's like a starting point for how much a car should cost, but the actual price can be different when you go to buy it.
MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, which is the price that the manufacturer recommends for the vehicle. It serves as a guideline for pricing but can vary based on dealer markups or discounts.
GM
"Yeah, so GM had an event in New York City, Mary Bara, Royce, like kind of all the big leagues were there."
GM stands for General Motors, a big company that makes cars and trucks. They own several popular car brands.
GM, or General Motors, is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, known for producing a wide range of vehicles under various brands, including Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac.
Mary Barra
"Yeah, so GM had an event in New York City, Mary Bara, Royce, like kind of all the big leagues were there."
Mary Barra is the CEO of General Motors, which means she is in charge of the company and makes important decisions about their cars.
Mary Barra is the Chairperson and CEO of General Motors, and she has been instrumental in leading the company through significant changes, including a focus on electric vehicles.
Sterling Anderson
"Sterling Anderson who we know from Tesla and then Aurora and some other stuff is now one of the chief product officers."
Sterling Anderson is a person who has worked with big car companies like Tesla and now works at GM to help create new cars.
Sterling Anderson is known for his work in the automotive industry, particularly with Tesla and Aurora, and he is currently a Chief Product Officer at GM, focusing on product development and innovation.
Cadillac Escalade IQL
"There's a 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQL which is the longer Escalade which is crazy because the regular Escalade..."
The Cadillac Escalade IQL is a bigger version of the regular Escalade, a luxury SUV that comes with high-tech features.
The Cadillac Escalade IQL is a longer version of the standard Escalade, known for its luxury features and advanced technology.
Super Cruise
"it's gonna have eyes off super cruise. They're not calling it ultra cruise anymore."
Super Cruise is a feature in some Cadillac cars that lets you drive without using your hands on the wheel on certain highways.
Super Cruise is Cadillac's advanced driver-assistance system that allows for hands-free driving on compatible highways, utilizing a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technology.
NVIDIA
"they're using like invidia chips and what you would expect."
NVIDIA is a company that makes powerful computer chips, and they also create technology used in cars for things like self-driving features.
NVIDIA is a technology company known for its graphics processing units (GPUs) and has expanded into automotive technology, providing chips for advanced driver assistance systems.
LiDAR
"...you can see like the LiDAR hump on it. Yeah, it's a big one. First GM car to have that, I think."
LiDAR is a technology that helps cars understand their surroundings by using lasers to measure distances. This helps in making cars smarter and safer, especially for self-driving features.
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It's a technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of the environment, which is essential for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicles.
level three automation
"...that's been one of the big slight again, Tesla for a long time is like, why there's level three is super valuable, like long distance."
Level three automation means that the car can drive itself in many situations, but you still need to be ready to take over if something goes wrong. It's like having a helper that can do most of the driving for you.
Level three automation refers to a stage in autonomous driving where the vehicle can handle most driving tasks under certain conditions, but the driver must be ready to take control when needed. This is a significant step towards fully autonomous vehicles.
Rivian R1S
"on those. And a technology company because they use a lot of what they are learning from the R1's program to deliver the R2. Yeah. And then they also sold their technology to Yeah. Yeah. So that they're making some money from that too now."
The Rivian R1S is an electric SUV made for people who love outdoor adventures. It's special because it can go off-road and is part of a new trend of electric vehicles that are designed for fun and exploration.
The Rivian R1S is an all-electric SUV that emphasizes adventure and off-road capability, designed by the American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian. It is significant as it represents a new wave of electric vehicles that cater to outdoor enthusiasts and showcases advanced technology.
BrightDrop
"...the bright drop program started roughly, it was rough for them with 146 trucks in 2022 about 500 trucks in 2023."
BrightDrop is a company that makes electric delivery vans. It's part of General Motors and helps businesses deliver packages in a more eco-friendly way.
BrightDrop is a subsidiary of General Motors focused on electric commercial vehicles, particularly delivery vans. They aim to provide sustainable solutions for logistics and delivery services.
internal combustion engine (ICE)
"...because it was an ice plan before that."
An internal combustion engine is a type of engine that makes cars go by burning fuel like gasoline. It's the kind of engine most cars used before electric cars became popular.
An internal combustion engine (ICE) is a type of engine that generates power by burning fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, inside the engine itself. This is the traditional engine type used in most vehicles before the rise of electric vehicles.
electric vehicle (EV)
"...bring it to EV production because it was an ice plan before that."
An electric vehicle, or EV, is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They are better for the environment because they produce less pollution.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity, using electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. EVs are known for being more environmentally friendly than traditional vehicles.
delivery van
"...it's not as much as like the transit or the even Rivians Amazon delivery van."
A delivery van is a big vehicle used to carry packages and goods from one place to another. Businesses use them to deliver items to customers.
A delivery van is a type of vehicle designed specifically for transporting goods and packages. These vans often have larger cargo areas and are used by businesses for deliveries.
Chevrolet Express
"...comparable to the GMC seven of van or the Chevy Express, which are the main commercial van from GM..."
The Chevy Express is a large van made by Chevrolet. It's often used by companies to carry people or cargo because it has a lot of space inside.
The Chevy Express is a full-size van produced by Chevrolet, primarily used for commercial purposes. It's known for its spacious interior and versatility, making it popular among businesses for transporting goods and passengers.
GMC Savana
"...comparable to the GMC seven of van or the Chevy Express, which are the main commercial van from GM..."
The GMC Savana is another large van made by GMC, similar to the Chevy Express. It's used by businesses to transport goods or people because it has a lot of room.
The GMC Savana is a full-size van similar to the Chevy Express, designed for commercial use. It offers a range of configurations for cargo and passenger transport, making it a practical choice for businesses.
Android Auto
"...like the Android Auto experience is fine. But like for me, it's, you know, when, for instance, texting..."
Android Auto is a feature that lets you connect your Android phone to your car so you can use apps and get directions easily while driving.
Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google that allows Android users to connect their smartphones to their car's infotainment system, providing access to navigation, music, and messaging features.
CarPlay
"...when I'm driving around my Chevy Bolt 2023, which has CarPlay, it's a really nice experience because I can just, you know, tap the, you know, respond to the stuff really easily..."
CarPlay is a feature that lets you connect your iPhone to your car so you can use apps and send messages easily while driving.
CarPlay is Apple's system that allows iPhone users to connect their devices to their car's infotainment system, providing access to apps, navigation, and messaging features directly from the car's display.
Honda Prologue
"... can support CarPlay. It supports CarPlay and the prologue, the Honda prologue, which is basically a GM car...."
The Honda Prologue is a new electric SUV that Honda is making, and it will be similar to some cars made by General Motors. It's important because it shows that more car companies are starting to make electric vehicles.
The Honda Prologue is an upcoming all-electric SUV that is expected to share its platform with General Motors vehicles, marking Honda's entry into the electric SUV market. It is significant as it reflects the growing trend of automakers collaborating to produce electric vehicles.
unsupervised self-driving
"...if you're promising unsupervised full self-driving to someone and you're selling it for $10,000..."
Unsupervised self-driving means that a car can drive itself without anyone watching or controlling it. It's what companies like Tesla are trying to achieve with their technology.
Unsupervised self-driving refers to a level of autonomous driving where the vehicle can operate without any human oversight or intervention. This is a key goal for companies like Tesla in their development of self-driving technology.
hardware three
"...issues with my hardware three full self driving computer. Most likely Tesla will be forced to upgrade..."
Hardware three is the third version of Tesla's computer system that helps their cars understand the environment around them. It's important for features that allow the car to drive itself.
Hardware three refers to the third generation of Tesla's onboard computer system designed for processing data from the vehicle's sensors and enabling features like Full Self-Driving. It is a critical component for the vehicle's autonomous capabilities.
Ken Power
"...the Ken power stuff is what a lot of the charging station operator mentioned a lot. So a friend of mine, Sylvain Juteau operates in what is called the really electric station..."
Ken Power makes equipment that helps charge electric cars quickly. They are known for having some of the best charging technology available.
Ken Power is a company known for producing electric vehicle charging solutions, particularly in the realm of DC fast charging stations. Their technology is often praised for its efficiency and reliability in charging electric vehicles.
Alpetronic
"...they are buying the Alpetronic stuff."
Alpetronic makes charging stations for electric cars. They are known for making good quality chargers that work with many different types of electric vehicles.
Alpetronic is a company that specializes in electric vehicle charging solutions, particularly known for their high-quality charging stations that support various charging standards.
Tesla mobile connector
"I've been using the Tesla mobile connector, the whole ownership of my car, which the benefit of getting a dedicated home charger."
The Tesla mobile connector is a charger that you can use to charge your Tesla car at home or on the go. It can plug into regular outlets or special charging stations, making it easy to keep your car charged.
The Tesla mobile connector is a portable charging solution for Tesla electric vehicles, allowing owners to charge their cars using standard household outlets or dedicated charging stations. It provides flexibility for charging in various locations.
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