Tesla Executive Provides Updates and Insights in Unexpected X Engagement

By Kevin Armstrong
Lars Takes Questions
Lars Takes Questions
Not a Tesla App

Lars Moravy, Tesla's VP of Vehicle Engineering, took an unexpected but welcome turn on X to engage with the community, answering questions and shedding light on Tesla's technology and the new Model 3.

Traditionally, Elon Musk has been the face of Tesla everywhere, especially on X, sharing updates and insights with his massive following. However, with Musk increasingly focusing on political commentary, Moravy stepped in to fill the void, offering a rare glimpse into the technical advancements and thoughtful considerations behind the Model 3. With less than 12 thousand followers, Moravy's engagement might seem modest compared to Musk's 172.6 million, but his detailed responses provided significant value to Tesla enthusiasts and potential buyers.

The Power of Frequency Selective Damping

One of the most intriguing revelations is the introduction of Frequency Selective Damping technology in the Model 3. This advanced suspension system is designed to significantly enhance ride comfort by targeting the shake frequencies that resonate with the human body, specifically in the 4-6 Hz range. Moravy's explanation on X underlines the dual advantage of the technology: eliminating minor road discomforts while preserving the vehicle's agile steering. Lars stated, “Know the body,” and posted an interesting picture.

Tesla Town Hall with Lars

Beyond the groundbreaking suspension system, Tesla's promotional efforts and Moravy's subsequent discussions highlight several key general updates to the Model 3 and Tesla.

Addressing a concern raised by The Cybertruck Guy (@cybrtrkguy) regarding the lack of published recommended tires by Tesla, Moravy acknowledged the significance of tire selection on vehicle range. Moravy revealed Tesla's intention to publish a list of recommended tires to guide customers in making informed choices that maintain or enhance their vehicle's performance and range.

Until this list is available, he advised customers to identify Tesla-designed tires by looking for the T# marking on products from leading manufacturers such as Michelin, Goodyear, Hankook, Continental, and Pirelli. This marking, visible in any tire store, is a hallmark of Tesla's endorsement, ensuring compatibility and optimized performance for Tesla vehicles. This initiative highlights Tesla's proactive stance on addressing customer feedback and its commitment to enhancing the ownership experience through informed tire selection.

More Details on the Model 3

  • Pioneering Energy Efficiency: The updated Model 3 boasts an impressive reduction in energy consumption, approximately 8.3% lower than its predecessor. Moravy attributes this to Tesla's systemic approach to efficiency, focusing on aerodynamics, tire efficiency, HVAC systems, and minimizing energy wastage.

  • Dual Microphones for Enhanced Call Quality: Addressing feedback on call clarity, the Model 3 now features two microphones, significantly reducing echo and improving overall sound quality during phone calls.

  • More Trunk and Rear Seat Space: Moravy also responded to questions about the space in the vehicle, telling X users that the new Model 3 has a larger truck and more space in the backseat. “We heard you,” stated Moravy.

Reflecting on Tesla's Dynamic Engagement

Moravy's engagement on X is reminiscent of Musk’s participation with the Tesla community. The company has thrived on user feedback and company discussions. By stepping into a role typically filled by Elon Musk, Moravy provided valuable insights into the engineering and design considerations. But he also re-engaged a fanbase thirsty for more interaction with the top people at Tesla. Perhaps Moravy could get a profile picture.

Tesla’s More Affordable Vehicle Update: Q1 2025

By Karan Singh
@DominicBRNKMN/X

Alongside the many things we learned about Unsupervised FSD and the Robotaxi program, we also got to find out a little more about Tesla’s more affordable vehicle in the Q1 2025 Earnings Call.

There has been extensive reporting on what the long-anticipated affordable EV option would become, and we’ve seen numerous news stories mentioning that it was delayed or even arriving on time. The executive team revealed the near-term and long-term plans for Tesla’s upcoming vehicles, and there’s definitely good news to share here.

Updated Timeline

The most important piece of news is that despite all the talk of delays from supposed inside sources, Tesla has confirmed that the plan for its more affordable model remains on schedule for production to begin in the first half of 2025. Tesla’s executive team narrowed that timeline down further - and said that they expect production to kick off as soon as June and that the new model will be in the market shortly thereafter.

While the production timeline itself is on track, Tesla did note that the subsequent ramping process will likely be slower than initially hoped, citing global tariff and financial impacts as challenges to overcome to prepare its production lines.

Hybrid Production Approach

Tesla has once again confirmed that this will not be their next-generation vehicle, built using new production methods. Instead, they outlined a relatively more pragmatic approach for this new model.

Tesla will utilize aspects of both the next-generation platform as well as some parts of its current platforms (namely the Model 3 and Model Y). This means that Tesla will produce this new vehicle on the same manufacturing lines as the Model 3 and Model Y.

This strategy allows Tesla to bring the vehicle to the market more quickly, while also managing capital expenditures more efficiently by using existing infrastructure. However, Tesla’s executive team also noted that this approach, while faster, will result in fewer cost reductions than what might have been achieved with an entirely new platform and dedicated manufacturing process.

Vehicle Design

Using these existing production lines means that Tesla’s new vehicle will likely share some considerable similarities with either the existing Model 3 or Model Y. Rather than being a radically different and smaller vehicle, this new model will resemble the overall form factor and shape of Tesla’s current core offerings, while being optimized for a lower cost.

This doesn’t mean that Tesla is forgetting the overall goal here. Their ultimate goal is to reduce the initial cost of ownership and lower monthly payments for customers while maintaining a standard of excellence and safety.

Not Unboxed

Both at this Earnings Call and previous ones, Tesla has indicated that this new vehicle will not be using the innovative unboxed assembly method, at least for the time being. That relatively unique method will be developed and implemented specifically for the purpose-built Cybercab and for future vehicles on the next-generation platform.

We’re just a few days away from May, so it won’t be long before we see more about this upcoming vehicle. Stay tuned.

U.S. Announces New Autonomous Vehicle Framework and What It Means for Tesla

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

In a follow-up move to the current US administration’s goals to introduce a federal framework for autonomous vehicles, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is loosening autonomy restrictions following an announcement from Secretary Sean Duffy on X. This new initiative helps streamline complex regulatory processes and foster home-grown innovation.

Automated Vehicle Framework

As part of the broader upcoming USDOT Innovation Agenda, the newly unveiled AV Framework is designed to promote American innovation and strengthen domestic engineering while maintaining existing safety standards. The framework centers around three key principles:

  • Prioritize Safety

  • Unleash Innovation

  • Enable Commercial Deployment

To kickstart this AV framework, USDOT announced two initial steps focused on streamlining processes and expanding opportunities.

Crash Reporting Requirements

Under the first principle to Prioritize Safety, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) will maintain its Standing General Order requiring crash reporting on Advanced and Automated Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS and ADS). 

However, the reporting process will be streamlined following feedback from AV innovators, likely including Tesla. The goal here is to focus on collecting critical safety information while removing unnecessary or duplicative items from the reporting process, thereby reducing the burden without compromising safety.

Cutting Red Tape

Directly tied to the second principle of Unleash Innovation, the framework also seeks to slash red tape. The first step here is the expansion of the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program, or AVEP. This program allows manufacturers to petition for temporary exemptions from certain federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for testing or deployment purposes.

Previously, the standard excluded domestically produced vehicles. Now, domestically produced AVs will not need to meet FMVSS, which will broaden the scope for manufacturers to test more innovative and unique designs and technologies.

Single National Standard for AVs

Finally, tied to the third principle of Enable Commerical Development, USDOT intends to move the United States closer to a single national standard for autonomous vehicles. This aims to prevent a confusing and inefficient patchwork of state-level or city-level laws and regulations, which can create hurdles for companies attempting to innovate, deploy, and scale their technology.

A unified standard across the United States also means that Canada and Mexico will likely be able to follow, as they share homologization standards across North America, including for vehicle crash safety and some autonomy regulations.

What This Means for Tesla

These framework changes will likely have a substantial impact on Tesla. The move towards a national standard is potentially the most impactful change, as Tesla identified regulatory hurdles as one of the most significant challenges it will face with the deployment of both Unsupervised FSD and its Robotaxi network.

The reduction of FMVSS requirements and streamlined reporting will likely play a role in the future as well. The FMVSS requirements are probably already being worked on, if not already met, by the Cybercab and other vehicles in Tesla’s lineup.

Meanwhile, the streamlined reporting will be helpful once Tesla officially launches its Robotaxi network in June.

You can read the official press release on the announcement here.

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