MORE TESLA YL leaks, Slate price leak, megabig batteries, & LOTS more in the Monday News Roundup

Key Points

▶ 0:07 The show airs every Monday at 9:00 a.m. Pacific / noon Eastern.
▶ 0:14 Brian screens roughly 15 to 20 stories, highlighting some for deeper coverage later in the week.
▶ 0:22 The episode ends with a Q&A segment answering viewer questions and comments.
▶ 0:30 Tesla Y L (“the bigger car”) is launching in the U.S. this summer, with Brian insisting it was always coming despite Elon Musk’s hedging.
▶ 1:06 Production is expected at the Texas plant in August or September, with Brian confidently saying August based on his own source.
▶ 1:51 Pricing speculation lands at $53,990, but Brian thinks it will be $54,990, noting the Y L carries a $4,000 premium in China.
▶ 2:13 A reported Slate Electric price leak from website code shows around $24,950–$24,995, but the host calls it an outdated string, not a real leak.
▶ 2:25 The host argues the actual price will likely be higher, and notes that if Slate launches under $30,000 it could be a winner, yet he doubts profitability at the sub-$25,000 level.
▶ 2:53 At low volume, Slate could afford to lose money per unit, offsetting losses through another stock offering to extend its financial runway.
▶ 3:18 The BYD Shark is a hybrid, not an EV, because heavy LFP batteries make it difficult to achieve sufficient range in a truck.
▶ 3:33 Battery production is ramping up in Brazil, which localizes manufacturing and removes Chinese sourcing concerns.
▶ 3:55 This Brazil-based battery production could be a huge deal, especially since batteries could be sold to the U.S. as trading partners.
▶ 4:10 Rivian is hit with a class action lawsuit over false "Gen 1 vehicle autonomy claims," bringing claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.
▶ 4:15 The host is skeptical about the lawsuit's chances, saying "I don't think this lawsuit's going anywhere, but maybe it will."
▶ 4:26 The host notes the case echoes similar legal challenges faced by other automakers.
▶ 4:28 Tesla faces legal exposure for marketing early vehicles as “definitely going to have full autonomy,” even though insiders may have known it was impossible—no software update could make Gen 1 vehicles perform as advertised.
▶ 4:49 The lawsuit risk isn’t limited to the earliest models; anything before Hardware 3 could face similar claims, while Rivian’s smaller sales volume implies less comparable exposure.
▶ 5:03 The case is “probably going nowhere” because a reasonable settlement would be an existential threat to Tesla, so the court likely won’t permit it to move forward.
▶ 5:26 The presenter is skeptical of the headline's Rivian framing, calling it click-driven rather than accurate.
▶ 5:46 Ford's new LFP battery is aimed at cutting EV upfront costs down to mass-market level.
▶ 6:04 Ford has done a 180 on its EV ambitions yet downplays it, while actively hiring—over 500 employees at Blue Oval Battery Park with plans to reach 800.
▶ 6:48 China will not export the equipment needed to make the latest generation of LFP batteries, so manufacturers outside China are limited to producing the previous generation.
▶ 7:02 Tesla's battery equipment in Nevada is making older-generation LFP cells, which are acceptable for stationary storage but "less fine" for vehicles.
▶ 7:20 It would be "catastrophically bad" if Tesla exports vehicles using these older batteries into markets competing directly with Chinese-made EVs.
▶ 7:28 Host notes reports that "Maki" may be discontinued, framing it as an "end of an era" but a transition rather than purely negative.
▶ 7:38 Host abruptly pivots to a humorous subscription pitch, using a visual joke ("look like this instead of like this") to encourage subscribing.
▶ 7:40 The casual, comedic tone is reinforced with "Come on, man," blending news commentary with a direct call to action.
▶ 8:24 Tesla plans to build pre-assembled Megachargers for the Semi, moving contractor and permitting hassles back to the factory for better control.
▶ 9:04 A Tesla Semi spotted in Sunnyvale with autonomous validation gear on its cabin signals faster progress on FSD for the Semi.
▶ 9:51 Tesla filed a "Megapod" trademark, packaging charging power infrastructure as a standalone product, though latency may limit practical use.
▶ 10:36 Volvo and Aurora are partnering to expand autonomous trucking on a 200-mile Dallas–Oklahoma City route, with driverless semis already testing in Texas.
▶ 11:28 A new TechCrunch robo-taxi scorecard shows Baidu’s Apollo Go leading, just ahead of Waymo, with Pony AI, WeRide, and Tesla rounding out the top ranks.
▶ 13:20 Uber plans a premium robo-taxi in Houston in 2027 using the Lucid Gravity, but the host is skeptical about the high vehicle cost and multiple profit-taking partners; Mobileye also targets a 2027 US robo-taxi launch with up to 17,000 vehicles.
▶ 15:56 Host runs an EV info booth at the Go Forth Festival in Long View, WA, with David Moss joining July 2–3; the host will be there most of the time but not the evening of July 2nd because of play rehearsals for Three Bandits and a Baby (July 10–26).
▶ 17:06 Honda partners with QuantumCape on solid-state EV batteries, but the host is skeptical because Honda has been slow on EVs and QuantumCape hasn’t reached scale production yet.
▶ 17:36 GM is working on vehicle-to-grid/vehicle-to-load for time-of-use shifting, but faces a patchwork of ~4,000 utilities; the host then runs the math on gravity-based concrete-block storage and concludes the energy density is too poor to be viable.
▶ 20:08 EV adoption is outpacing global growth predictions, but the U.S. lags; China leads the surge while the global average hovers around 10% — a key signal for aligning stock picks with adoption trends.
▶ 20:46 A reported Ferrari scheme to bundle unwanted cars with pre-orders for highly desired models was publicly rejected by Ferrari, which argued it would flood the secondary market and destroy resale values.
▶ 21:22 SoftBank sold its Boston Dynamics stake for $325 million (valuing the firm at barely over $3 billion); the host argues the robots' real-world usefulness is limited because "the brain isn't the most important part. Manufacturing is."
▶ 22:23 The host is incredulous at the UAW demanding "fewer robots," calling out the illogic of limiting cobots unless the robots are also unionized, and mockingly compares the demand to replacing light bulbs with candles.
▶ 22:46 The Texas Supreme Court denied environmental groups' request for public beach access during SpaceX launches, with the host sarcastically mocking the "right to access" claim as "How dare you?"
▶ 23:21 The host argues allowing public access in the firing zone would absolutely kill people, and could enable sabotage of a flight, calling the claim "crazy" and "unrealistic."
▶ 23:37 The speaker dismisses a beach-access complaint as unrealistic, urging people to "get real."
▶ 23:44 Starlink satellites provide additional benefits beyond internet access, including wildfire detection and rainforest protection.
▶ 23:54 These environmental monitoring and disaster prevention uses are highlighted as emerging real-world advantages of the satellite infrastructure.
▶ 23:56 The host notes the session is nearly over, with only a few minutes left.
▶ 23:58 They transition from the news roundup to the Q&A segment, shifting to community interaction.
▶ 24:01 In a lighthearted aside, the host jokes about questioning life choices while answering questions, setting a playful tone.
▶ 24:06 Host transitions to Q&A, noting viewers are sending questions simultaneously and this segment is for answering them.
▶ 24:16 Teases "a bunch of big stuff" for the coming week, with the Ethiopia story still developing.
▶ 24:37 Technical note: had to refresh to get Brian on stream, likely due to ad blockers; host lightheartedly agrees and adds "our time on this planet is limited."
▶ 24:46 The host reflects that "our time on this planet is limited," setting a reflective tone.
▶ 24:49 Teslatino asks the host directly, "How are you? How are you doing?" showing personal concern.
▶ 24:55 The host honestly admits he's "doing all right" but stressed out from having "too much going on," then adds with a positive spin, "Other than that, I'm fine."
▶ 25:03 The Model Y fills an important gap in the speaker's situation, despite its limitations.
▶ 25:05 The speaker's father-in-law uses a Subaru Ascent to transport six people, contrasting with the Model Y's cramped third row.
▶ 25:16 The speaker would love to sell their 2023 Model Y because the third row is barely passable, though the thought is cut off.
▶ 25:31 Setting a reminder on a Google Pixel is blocked unless the user accepts new Gemini terms and conditions, frustrating users who simply want to opt out.
▶ 25:44 Google is criticized for self-sabotaging by aggressively forcing Gemini into basic phone features, alienating users who don't want the AI assistant.
▶ 25:50 The hosts' smart speakers at home no longer work, highlighting broader reliability issues with Google's consumer hardware.
▶ 25:55 The host greets a familiar chat participant, "Smokey the Bear," warmly welcoming them.
▶ 26:11 A running joke about Brian being a time traveler is playfully acknowledged, with the host citing the "time travel council" as a gag.
▶ 26:22 The host jokingly suggests Flex Seal is the real fix for the Y Laks (Tesla Model Y leaks), a nod later echoed by a viewer.
▶ 26:31 Ford's decision to discontinue the Mach-E stems from not making money on it and not wanting to support or push the vehicle forward, with Ford ironically comparing itself to Tesla.
▶ 26:55 Ford gave no real updates for the second-year Mach-E—when asked what changed, the response was "Nothing. Same car."
▶ 27:06 The Mach-E was likely profitable on a gross per-unit basis, but the division still lost money overall; however, discontinuing the car doesn't fix the division-level loss.
▶ 27:26 Host acknowledges the viewer-submitted topic of gigapods/terrapods but does not dive into it yet.
▶ 27:33 Playfully scolds the audience for only 19 likes, arguing clicking like burns fewer calories than eating a cornflake; later calls 42 likes "more reasonable."
▶ 27:45 Escalates the food-themed engagement by asking how many thumbs up he can get for a slice of pepperoni pizza, leaving the offer humorously open-ended.
▶ 27:51 The segment opens with a joking "financially desperate" investor perspective, wanting immediate car sales to rebound the stock rather than waiting for long-term promises.
▶ 28:05 It parodies Tesla's pattern of announcing a robotaxi to boost sentiment when the stock drops, highlighting the mismatch between hype and short-term pressure.
▶ 28:12 The strategic takeaway: even if Tesla's robotaxi takes years or loses, the push helps spark competition in autonomous vehicles, benefiting the broader market regardless of who wins.
▶ 28:21 A viewer suggests Mobileye might aim to be an operator rather than a provider, which the host calls a "Hail Mary" and says they hadn't considered.
▶ 28:21 The host expresses genuine uncertainty about Mobileye's market position, asking "Who is buying Mobileye? I don't know."
▶ 28:38 The hosts are watching land near Pocatello for a possible Cybercab charging and car wash facility, though they note it's unclear how soon that will happen.
▶ 28:44 The speaker feels solid-state batteries are "actually about to be here," citing promising results, but stresses the key remaining question is whether they can be "manufacturable at a profit."
▶ 29:02 Discussing the newly seen Cybertruck priced at $59,000, the speaker asks if it "looks so good" and "more refined," then theorizes the improvement comes from more traditional truck wheels.
▶ 29:07 Specifically, the speaker notes the truck has a "smaller wheel, larger sidewall," giving it a more conventional stance, though they leave it as an informal "I don't know" theory.
▶ 29:20 Tesla saw a morning bounce with no obvious news catalyst, only minor items like Lemonade expanding into Colorado.
▶ 29:25 The Strait of Hormuz situation is “not as open as we expected” despite dozens of reopening announcements, leaving traders uncertain.
▶ 29:37 The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz is “likely good for EV stocks,” as oil supply disruptions may reinforce the shift to electric vehicles.
▶ 29:44 A speaker jokingly threatens to "unlike" the video, mock-punishing whatever was just said in the banter.
▶ 29:51 The joke lands when another speaker admits they never hit the like button, prompting the punchline: "Oh, right. Because you can only hit it once."
▶ 29:39 The exchange is prefaced by a brief positive note on EV stocks and sales, keeping the mood light and community-focused.
▶ 29:54 Host emphasizes "you can only hit it once" about timing trades ahead of earnings.
▶ 29:58 Acknowledges the common pattern of buying before earnings, causing a big runup into the report and production numbers.
▶ 30:12 Notes that even on a beat, the typical reaction is a sell-off ("Sell it, sell it").
▶ 30:19 Concrete battery and a Welsh water battery (pumped hydro) both store energy by lifting mass to a height for later release.
▶ 30:25 Water is much easier and safer to move than concrete, making it a key advantage for pumped hydro storage.
▶ 30:30 Concrete blocks from the battery could be repurposed or ground up and reused, avoiding waste even if they are hard to demolish.
▶ 30:50 The host notes the video has 107 thumbs up (“awfully good”) and jokingly suggests people might be watching.
[30:53–31:07] Community comments are acknowledged: a viewer mentions Lucid being on the “death rattle,” another can't wait for Lemonade approval in New York (host supports it if cheaper/profitable), and another is waiting for SpaceX in the 140s.
[31:14–31:16] The host appreciates that James has “done the math” for them, saving them the effort.
▶ 31:19 Joe spots several Cybercabs driving on Tesla's test track, which the hosts treat as an exciting positive sign.
▶ 31:32 Tesla Tino argues that if Tesla brings back the Cybertruck dual-motor AWD at $60,000, demand will be "impossible to meet" based on his test drive in Texas.
▶ 31:53 Hosts say they hope that's the future, but question whether Tesla actually made money at that price—if so, they should "open the floodgates."
▶ 32:07 Inflation math: $60,000 today equals roughly $48,000 in 2019 dollars, which the hosts call "a whole lot of truck" for the price.
▶ 32:23 The host celebrates the one-year anniversary of the robotaxi.
▶ 32:42 Customers see an FSD-based Lemonade quote around $200 a month versus their current payments, raising the question of whether the standard rate is actually $400.
▶ 32:54 The host speculates whether Lemonade's pricing is a "jack up the price to cut it back down" sales tactic, but concludes every quote and driver is different.
▶ 33:12 The speaker downplays expectations, saying "We're not going to see it" — Tesla wireless charging won't be publicly available.
▶ 33:16 At best, it might only be visible to someone with special access like "Joe," but even then the speaker is "not convinced."
▶ 33:20 If it does exist, it likely stays hidden in a private setting, such as "inside that parking garage."
▶ 33:28 Viewer Boomer Bob praises the video and its "sarcastic takes," calling the Monday video "hilarious."
▶ 33:39 Boomer Bob says he toured the Optimus factory, describing the experience as "mind-blowing."
▶ 33:42 The host reacts with interest and looks forward to hearing/seeing more about the Optimus factory tour.
▶ 33:50 Host asks viewers to share what they missed or misunderstood, and notes that replay viewers are "contractually obligated" to mention it in the comments.
▶ 34:02 Host signs off with "Stay juicy," calling viewers "clever robots."
▶ 34:06 Announces upcoming shows: a July 4th event and Three Bandits and a Baby running July 10–26 at Stageworks Northwest in Washington.

MORE TESLA YL leaks, Slate price leak, megabig batteries, & LOTS more in the Monday News Roundup

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