Pickup Truck Sales, Thoughts on the Tesla Robo Taxi, Chatting with EV Startup TELO
- Pickup Truck Sales, Thoughts on the Tesla Robo Taxi, Chatting with EV Startup TELO Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo 54:59
Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill again this week. Jill returns for the next episode. Paul and Tom opened the show discussing large pickup-truck sales. Tom had heard that the Chevrolet Silverado was outselling the Ford F-150 this year, which was inaccurate. Tom went down the list of the top pickup sellers in the third quarter.
The hosts also noted General Motors’ decision to drop the Ultium brand in relation to its electric-vehicle products. Ultium had been used by the maker to describe both vehicle architecture and battery chemistry. Listen in for a complete analysis.
Paul and Tom went on to summarize Tesla’s Robo Taxi reveal. The autonomous EV, intended initially for commercial ride-hailing use, features scissor-style doors, just two seats, and will not be equipped with a steering wheel or floor pedals. The hosts are skeptical. Tesla anticipates the Robo Taxi being available to users before 2027.
Paul then talked about a Sons of Speed “The Lap” video, this one featuring the Subaru BRZ. Paul noted that even though the little Subaru isn’t especially powerful, it is fun to drive in the right hands.
In the second segment, Paul and Tom are joined by TELO CEO Jason Marks. Jason introduced the hosts to TELO, and its initial product, a pickup truck with the footprint of a Mini Cooper. Jason laid out near- and midterm plans for the TELO, including production and battery sourcing, as well as distribution.
In the last segment, Paul is subjected to Tom’s “Which Died Last?” quiz. To wrap up the episode, Paul shared some thoughts on the Subaru WRX, which he and fellow Sons of Speed editor Brendan Appel spent time with on the track.
