Everyone Wanted a Cheaper Tesla. Elon Had Other Plans.

After experiencing Tesla’s Cybercab in Austin, I think the biggest thing people are missing is the zero-sum game built into Uber. Two people share one environment with different preferences. The driver wants the temperature at 66. I want 72. We have different preferences for music, volume, and whether the windows should be open. My comfort can come at the expense of his—and I don’t blame the driver. It’s his working environment. Cybercab removes that tug of war. I choose the temperature, play my Spotify, and settle in with my coffee. The car has no competing preferences. I can get comfortable without asking another person to sacrifice their comfort. In this video, I share my firsthand impressions from riding Cybercab in Austin and explain why removing that social tension changes the whole experience. I think people are underestimating how much this matters—and how hard it could make going back to Uber. CHAPTERS 00:00 Walking up to the Cybercab 00:25 A two-minute pickup 01:31 Inside: space, Spotify, and climate controls 03:00 The zero-sum game built into Uber 04:43 Temperature: your comfort vs. the driver’s 05:21 Music and volume: another tug of war 06:36 Cleanliness, conversation, and bringing coffee 07:28 Removing the tension changes the service 09:09 Rethinking the passenger experience 10:41 The value of a consistent ride 11:32 Scaling up and my final thoughts #Tesla #Cybercab #RobotaxiSocial 🐦 X - https://x.com/davelee 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

I took two rides in Tesla’s Cybercab in Austin, and I’m telling you — this thing exceeded my expectations. The legroom, quiet cabin, huge screen, and freedom to just sit back and enjoy the ride are incredible. But the biggest surprise was how natural it feels with no steering wheel or pedals. There’s no empty driver’s seat reminding you that someone is missing. It just feels like this is how getting from point A to point B is supposed to work. On my second ride, I reclined my seat and watched my own Cybercab video inside a Cybercab. Half an hour flew by, and I felt refreshed. In this video, I share my first impressions, how the experience compares with a Model Y Robotaxi, and what I’d still improve—including a plusher ride and shorter wait times. I also explain why I think Tesla has reached an amazing milestone for transportation. 00:00 Opening moments 00:59 My first Cybercab ride in Austin 02:14 Legroom, seats, and the massive screen 02:44 Ride quality: what I’d improve 03:37 Spotify and settling into the ride 04:45 Testing the window controls 05:03 Why no steering wheel changes the experience 07:21 Second ride: YouTube, relaxing, and exceeding expectations 09:32 More Cybercab videos and what’s next 10:12 What Tesla has pulled off 11:21 Wait times and the potential as Tesla scales Check out my previous Cybercab video for what I learned talking with Tesla’s engineers, and subscribe for my next video on the bigger implications. #Tesla #Cybercab #RobotaxiSocial 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

Tesla’s growth has slowed, and the affordable new model many people expected hasn’t arrived. Did Tesla abandon its high-volume ambitions—or choose a different path to get there? In this video, I share my theory about why Elon Musk went all in on Cybercab and FSD, what that decision may have cost Tesla in the short term, and how it could lay the foundation for an entirely new lineup of affordable, autonomous vehicles. I explore the tradeoff between building a cheaper conventional Tesla and designing a vehicle around the rider from the ground up. I also outline a six-step path from Cybercab to broader consumer sales and high-volume production. This is my interpretation of Tesla’s strategy, with plenty of speculation—not a confirmed product roadmap. Execution, software readiness, and regulatory approval still matter. Would you have built a cheaper Tesla with a steering wheel first, or made the Cybercab bet? Share your thoughts in the comments. 00:00 What happened to Tesla’s growth? 02:12 Where is the cheaper Tesla? 04:32 My thesis on Tesla’s future 05:15 Cybercab vs. a cheaper conventional Tesla 09:23 Elon’s all-in decision 11:05 The complexity of driver controls 11:48 Why focus and urgency matter 14:30 Lessons from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google 19:44 Cybertruck’s shortfall 21:17 Model Y and the missing growth vehicle 23:10 How Cybercab could unlock growth 24:06 Step 1: Define the future of transportation 25:06 Step 2: Build the software and vehicle 26:59 Step 3: Prove it works 28:03 Step 4: Obtain regulatory approval 28:32 Step 5: Sell to consumers 29:19 Step 6: Expand the vehicle lineup 31:54 Short-term costs and risks 32:41 Tesla’s potential next growth era 35:13 Closing thoughts Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

I attended Tesla’s Cybercab launch event in Austin and spent more than two hours speaking with Tesla engineers and examining the technical displays. In this video, I share what I learned about the Cybercab’s unboxed assembly process, plastic exterior, brake-by-wire system, interior design, thermal management, drive unit, crash testing, serviceable battery pack, AI hardware, and manufacturing line. Seeing these systems firsthand changed my perspective on Cybercab. This isn’t simply a new vehicle—it may form the foundation of Tesla’s manufacturing and autonomous-transport strategy for the next decade. I also discuss Tesla’s progress with FSD, the expected transition from AI4 to AI5, the advantages of a large Robotaxi network, and what could come next—including Cybervan and future autonomous passenger vehicles. Toward the end, I share a personal update about my family, my wife’s health, and why I haven’t posted as many videos recently. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Event setup, expectations, and keynote 03:12 Why this launch is a major Tesla milestone 05:37 Unboxed assembly and the six vehicle modules 10:15 Plastic exterior and eliminating the paint shop 11:55 Cybercab body-panel “golden ticket” 13:03 RIM plastic, durability, and cost savings 14:57 Future autonomous passenger vehicles 20:14 Brake-by-wire and modular assembly 24:08 Interior, space, and cabin design 27:27 Exterior details, wheels, and tires 28:23 Version 5 thermal-management system 31:49 Version 5 drive unit 33:54 Crash structure and testing 36:54 Serviceable, semi-structural battery pack 40:55 Integrated ancillary-base electronics 44:49 Broader engineering takeaways 49:07 Tesla AI, LLM lessons, and real-time FSD 50:39 Austin manufacturing capacity 52:19 Cybercab’s implications for Tesla’s next decade 53:29 Cybervan and future consumer vehicles 54:26 Recent FSD progress 55:42 Coordinating hardware and autonomy software 57:35 Integrating hardware, software, and AI chips 59:21 Robotaxi network effects and competitive advantages 62:42 AI4 constraints and AI5 expectations 66:04 Personal update 66:23 My wife’s cancer treatment and outlook 68:07 Family and homeschooling 71:02 Future interests and closing Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

After Tesla's Q2 2025 earnings call, Elon Musk's comment that the new affordable model is "a Model Y" sent shockwaves through the community, leading to frustration and confusion. Many now believe Tesla's next big vehicle is just a cheaper, stripped-down trim of the current Model Y. In this video, I'll break down why I believe that's wrong. I'll argue that Tesla isn't just removing features from the Model Y. Instead, they are launching a new model on the same platform: a shorter wheelbase Model Y. This move, combined with the recently revealed longer "Model Y L" in China, points to a brilliant 3-tier product strategy, much like Apple's iPhone lineup (Standard, Pro, Pro Max). Join me as I connect the dots and explain my theory on the "Model Y S" (Short), how Tesla can make it significantly cheaper, and why this is a genius move to maximize their existing production lines, expand their market, and navigate the end of the US federal tax credit. Topics Covered in this Video: - Elon Musk's controversial Q2 earnings call comment. - The flaw in the "cheaper trim" argument. - My Theory: The Model Y S (Short), Model Y (Standard), and Model Y L (Long). - Evidence from the new 6-seater Model Y L in China. - How Tesla can reduce the price by $6,000 - $8,000. - Addressing headwinds: The expiring tax credit vs. the increasing demand from FSD improvements. - Tesla's long-term manufacturing and platform strategy. What are your thoughts on Tesla's upcoming affordable model? Let me know in the comments below! Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

In this video, I break down why I think I'll be able to use unsupervised FSD in my own Tesla in Austin before the year is over. - How Tesla's geofenced Robotaxi network is the key. - Creating hyper-realistic simulations of cities like Austin to rapidly train and validate FSD. - The logical steps from safety-monitored Robotaxis to unmanned Robotaxis, and finally, to unsupervised FSD for personal vehicles in those same proven zones. - What "unsupervised" will likely mean at first (hint: you'll probably still be in the driver's seat, but without the nags!). Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

Lots of exciting things happening with Tesla this week. Here's what I cover in my video: 1. Elon Musk's America Party - Risk vs benefit. 2. Robotaxi Race: Waymo vs Tesla - Who will win? 3. Leadership Turnover - Bigger picture. 4. Model Y L for China - Why it's a great move and why I expect another smaller model. 5. xAI Investment - Should Tesla shareholders approve of a Tesla investment in xAI? 6. Bay Area Expansion - Will SF Bay Area get Robotaxi? 7. India Entry - What is Tesla trying to accomplish in India? Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise

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I address the idea of requiring Elon Musk spend a certain number of hours per week on Tesla. I also critique the idea of required the Tesla board to oversee Elon Musk's political activity. Elon has proven himself over and over to be one of the greatest innovators and value-creators of all time. Yet some people want the Tesla Board to micromanage his hours and police his outside activity. This would be a terrible mistake. You don’t babysit Elon. You treat him like an adult and give him performance-based compensation tied to long-term ambitious milestones (like market cap, revenue/profit, etc). And then expect him to knock it out of the park like he’s done with every other performance-based Tesla compensation plan. Social 🐦 Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/heydave7 🎧 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-lee-on-investing/id1493031991 🎙️Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2iin015s0k21Bt4ldep9XT?si=uBV4Ft8hQEu_GE4YSIDDGg 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heydave7 Dave Lee on Parenting, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWD9b1BZqi2G2u30sGYIFrA NOTE: Please don’t fall for scammers who might impersonate me or others in the comment section. I do NOT give out my number or ask people to contact me. 💁🏻‍♂️ Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for discussion and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. All views expressed are personal opinion as of date of recording and are subject to change without responsibility to update views. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of information on this channel. Neither host or guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered. Author is long TSLA and other stocks at time of original video publish date. Check out my archived articles/posts on Tesla and investing: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/articles-megaposts-by-davet.23473/#post-485768 #Tesla #TSLA #StocksSubscribe to Dave Lee on Investing on Soundwise