On a recent flight, my seatmate noticed a Tesla photo wallpaper on my phone (it rotates between that and pictures of my cat, 😆). It turns out he was a former Tesla engineer. For the next couple of hours, I picked his brain about all things Tesla including the Model Y Juniper and the Tesla Model 2.
It was a great chat, filled with popular Tesla rumors, Tesla news, confirmations, and firsthand Elon Musk stories. Here are my favorites:
Disclaimer
For sharing this info, I want to be clear that, despite some interesting stories, this individual loved his time with Tesla and would like to be hired back someday. As such, his identity will be private.
1. The Tesla Model 2 is Real
When I asked my seatmate if the Tesla Model 2 was actually a thing, he replied, “I have sat in it.” Pressing for details, he mentioned it was a shortened Model 3 hatchback. This is amazing news and will surely help EV adoption by bringing a more affordable option to the masses. The concept of a more compact and economical Tesla aligns perfectly with the company’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
2. Model Y Refreshes are Coming Soon
Less of a shocker, especially with the recent prototype photos leaked, but the Tesla Model Y “Juniper” refresh is closer than Elon may suggest.
I asked if the Model Y should expect the same updates as the Model 3, and I was told it’s exactly the same. Interestingly, the biggest change is the suspension. There is a huge push to make it a better ride for back passengers, as they’ve received many complaints from owners in China about nausea. This aligns with Tesla’s ongoing efforts to improve user experience based on customer feedback.
Update: The Tesla Model Y Juniper refresh is now available in North America!
3. Elon Didn’t Start Tesla
I had to look up this after, as I had no idea. Elon Musk did not start Tesla. Although he was an early investor, he didn’t become CEO until after the original Roadster was completed and while the Model S was already well into development. Legal battles and details can be found online, but it’s fascinating how this misconception persists. Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning were the actual founders, and Elon’s entry brought significant capital and vision to the company.
4. Elon’s Mark on Tesla
Even though Elon Musk didn’t start Tesla, his influence is certainly seen on many projects, often negatively. I started listing off more controversial design choices, and it was confirmed that it was all because Elon wanted it, even if it didn’t make sense.
Take the yoke steering wheel that came with the Model S refresh. Why would you design one of the world’s most powerful cars and give it half a steering wheel to control it? Because Elon wanted it that way. Bulletproof cars? That was Elon. Relying on cameras for autonomous driving? Elon.
By far his biggest mark is the Cybertruck. Although he didn’t design it, it was Elon’s vision and why it is so shockingly different from the rest of the lineup—unconventional and controversial. Elon’s take, while sometimes polarizing, undeniably pushes boundaries and generates massive public interest.
5. The Cybertruck is Amazing… and Sharp
My seatmate was very proud of the Cybertruck, saying how amazing it is. He also shared how sharp the corners are and that technicians would add padding to the front liners to avoid cutting their heads. I confirmed how sharp the panels were when I saw the first Cybertruck in Canada in person, but I never really thought about day-to-day use and how dangerous it could be. The Cybertruck’s design is not only bold and futuristic but also practical in terms of durability and performance.
6. Tesla is Laughing at You
While talking about the sharpness of the Cybertruck panels, I asked my seatmate if he had seen the videos of people crushing their fingers under the frunk. He shared that not only do they see videos like this, but Tesla content like it is circulated daily within the company for people to have a laugh. Much of it comes from the Tesla Motors Club forums, which are not private. They laugh at the theories posted on why something was designed a certain way or Tesla news that is completely fabricated.
7. Despite Public Problems, Employees are Proud to Work There
Even though this engineer was part of the massive layoffs, he holds no grudges and was proud of his time working there. This sentiment was shared by many Tesla employees, and he highlighted that this kind of pride in the work isn’t typically found in American car companies.
Layoffs are equivalent to projects being done, such as the Cybertruck, so cutting teams makes sense. The passion and dedication of Tesla employees contribute significantly to the company’s innovative spirit and market success.
8. The Tesla Semi is Designed for Specific Routes
According to my seatmate, the Tesla Semi is not designed for widespread use but rather for specific routes where its range and charging infrastructure are optimized. This targeted approach makes sense for Tesla, allowing them to ensure the Semi’s effectiveness in controlled environments before a broader rollout. While it may not be ready for all logistics operations, it represents a significant step forward in sustainable freight transport.
Great Way To Get Some Tesla News
As you can expect, my flight flew by, and getting a peek behind the curtain was fascinating as it confirmed Tesla rumors and dispelled some interesting myths. From the highly anticipated Tesla Model 2 to insights on the Model Y Juniper refresh and stories behind the Cybertruck from someone who worked on it, it was an enlightening experience. This conversation provided valuable insider perspectives on Tesla’s ever-evolving landscape and confirmed some quirks that Elon brings to the company.
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IMO, the quicker Tesla fires Elon Musk as CEO, the better, as the man has become totally toxic and pretty useless to the company. Most of Musk’s ideas on Tesla are really dumb and dangerous. I own 2 Tesla Model Y’s and love them and look forward to owning Tesla’s, for many years to come.
His ‘dumb ideas’ have created Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, StarLink, optimus, etc. No one is perfect, and some of his ideas may be unrealistic.
But to think telsa would be better without him?!!
You definitely don’t sound very appreciative for what he has built and accomplished..
Get off your knees, you’re embarrassing yourself. He’s had some good contributions, but he has spent the last 3 years driving away millions of people, stealing from Tesla (12,000 nVidia H100 GPUs which cost $30K+ each) and justifying it by saying they had “nowhere to put it” (after he laid off huge swaths of the teams responsible for making that happen), and just being a generally unlikable personality online. He is no longer giving more to Tesla than he takes, and the only reason the board hasn’t tossed him is that more than half are his friends or family.
You clearly needs to apply for his position. You will definitely lead Tesla to the unthinkable success, my dear anonymous troll.
Sell Tesla, buy GM. Mary leads and that matters!
I don’t disagree, but I appreciate what he has done for the EV space in general. I wish there was a team around him that kept him in check rather than ousting him completely. It will be interesting to see how it plays out over the next few years.