Episode 389: Special Guest Franz von Holzhausen Talks Cybertruck, Roadster, and More!

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen joins me for his second interview on this show! Our almost hour-long discussion covers the Cybertruck, next-gen Roadster, the new Model S, and much more! Plus: after the interview I analyze Tesla’s huge across-the-board price cuts that happened this week as well.

TIMECODES:

0:47 Podcast intro
3:02 Franz interview begins
3:29 Petersen Auto Museum's Tesla exhibit
6:51 Was the Cybertruck inspired by the DeLorean?
8:39 Removing scratches from the Cybertruck's stainless steel finish
10:54 Customizing the finish of a Cybertruck?
13:56 Cybertruck Easter egg
17:51 Did Franz expect the reactions to the Cybertruck's design?
20:38 No other car company would greenlight something like the Cybertruck
22:06 Will there be a Cybercar?
22:58 Is the Cybertruck design done?
24:15 The Cybertruck's doors
24:49 Yoke steering on the Cybertruck
25:23 Are there features on the Cybertruck we don't know about yet?
26:39 What Franz thinks of the other EV pickup trucks
28:08 Next-gen Roadster status update
29:59 Constantly working on the Model S
31:14 How long was the Model S refresh in the works?
33:09 The new steering wheel option on the Model S and Model X
34:08 The recent design change to the back of the Model S and Model X
35:55 Cybertruck don't need no stinking badges
36:19 Franz on the capacitive touch buttons on the yoke
37:22 New Model S's much lower drag coefficient
39:30 How many times has the Model S been completely redesigned under the skin?
40:24 Franz on Tesla seats
41:38 How full autonomy changes Franz's thought process
42:55 Vehicle paint colors
45:30 Will the stalks get deleted on the Model 3 and Model Y too?
46:26 Franz's thoughts on the Model Y likely becoming the world's best-selling passenger vehicle
48:25 Franz on Tesla vehicle safety
49:36 Franz's relationship with the Berlin and Shanghai Design Studios
50:40 Shortening the time between design and production
52:09 How has Franz's skillset grown in his time at Tesla?
53:29 If Franz could start the Model 3 over, what would he do?
54:40 Model 3 moving to the 4680 battery cells and structural battery pack?
55:32 What does Franz want his legacy to be?
56:49 What did Franz work on today?
58:15 Non-interview news: Tesla slashes vehicle prices across the board
1:12:37 Outro