Tesla Trouble, GM Goes Hydrogen, Tech Titans Tussle

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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It’s Friday already. Today we’re talking about Tesla's official Cybertruck recall. We also discuss GM's innovative move into hydrogen fuel as a diesel alternative, as well as the high-stakes wealth race in Silicon Valley as Mark Zuckerberg surpasses Elon Musk to become the world's third-richest person.

Show Notes with links:

• They can’t fix this one with an over the air update. As a follow up to our story Monday, nearly 3,900 Cybertrucks from the 2024 model year are being recalled due to a risk that the accelerator pedal may dislodge and become trapped, potentially increasing crash risks.
  • The defect could affect both accelerator and brake pedal torque, posing significant safety concerns, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  • Deliveries of the Cybertruck are now officially delayed as Tesla addresses these issues with the accelerator pedal.
  • "Tesla is not aware of any injuries related to this defect," assured the company in its communication with the NHTSA. Tesla plans to notify affected owners in June 2024.
  • It is unclear how the company plans to repair affected vehicles
    
• GM is spearheading a new project to replace diesel engines with hydrogen fuel cells, debuting a medium-duty truck powered by hydrogen for Southern Co. in Georgia.
  • The Chevrolet Silverado 5500 truck will feature GM's Hydrotec fuel cells, offering over 300 miles of range, weighs almost 20k pounds, and has the ability to generate 300 kilowatts—enough to power 250 homes.
  • This initiative is part of the $65 million SuperTruck 3 program by the U.S. Department of Energy, aiming to explore hydrogen fuel's potential in heavy-duty vehicles and establish a microgrid for hydrogen fueling.
  • "This is the most exciting transformation I've been part of at GM," shared Mark Dickens, vehicle chief engineer for future fuel cell products, emphasizing the shift from concept to real-world application.
    
• Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Elon Musk to become the world's third-richest person, with a net worth of $175 billion.
  • Meta Platforms' stock has soared by 43% year-to-date, boosting Zuckerberg's wealth by $47.3 billion this year, while Tesla shares have plummeted nearly 40%, causing Musk to lose $55.2 billion.
  • The stark contrast in company performance has significantly shifted their financial standings, with Zuckerberg's wealth heavily tied to Meta Platforms and Musk's spread across multiple ventures.
  • Despite their competitive past, including a proposed but never realized cage match, their fortunes are now diverging sharply due to differing business outcomes.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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