About this Video

• Video Title: Episode 499: Special Guest: Tesla Engineering VP Lars Moravy
• Channel: Ride the Lightning Tesla Motors Unofficial Podcast
• Speakers: Ryan McCaffrey, Lars Moravy, Fron Von Holtzen (mentioned)
• Duration: 01:25:59

Introduction

This podcast episode features an interview with Lars Moravy, Tesla's Vice President of Engineering. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the new Model Y, pivotal moments in Tesla's history, the next-gen Roadster, and future more affordable cars. The host also shares his own driving impressions of the new Model Y.

Key Takeaways

• Lars Moravy's Background: Moravy's passion for cars started with fixing an old Volvo as a teenager, leading him to a career in automotive engineering. He worked at Honda before joining Tesla.
• Tesla's Early Days: Moravy describes the early days at Tesla, highlighting Elon Musk's emphasis on building the best car in the world and the collaborative spirit among engineers.
• Model X Development: The development of the Model X's Falcon Wing doors is discussed, emphasizing the engineering challenges and Elon Musk's direct involvement in design decisions.
• Model 3 Production Hell: Moravy candidly recounts the intense challenges of scaling Model 3 production, describing the demanding work environment and the team's dedication.
• Model Y and Future Plans: The interview discusses the Model Y's development and success, the future Roadster's progress (confirmed to be in development), and Tesla's plans for more affordable vehicles. Specific details about the affordable car line's engineering are kept confidential.

The transcript mentions updates to the Model S and Model X indirectly. The discussion focuses primarily on the Model 3 and Model Y updates and production challenges, but the host references the Model S as a previous successful model that paved the way for Tesla’s success, and the Model X is mentioned in the context of its challenging development, particularly the Falcon Wing doors. There's no specific mention of recent updates to these models' features or specifications.