In the new ElektroQuatsch podcast episode, Nico and Constantin check in from sharply contrasting travel and life situations: Constantin joins in from Lombok in relaxed fashion, while Nico, a recreational pilot, is busy dealing with unpredictable weather and runway action. In between, they quickly move on to topics such as government IT stuck in the Stone Age, legal disputes surrounding architecture, and the question of why genuine human authenticity remains difficult to replace despite the AI hype.
As usual, things then get turbulent in the Tesla universe: A major recall announced in China sounds, judging by the description, more like a software update to fix temperamental door handles. Merchandise and trade-show PR are also on the agenda, from a pickleball paddle to the Semi, which is set to make its way to IAA Transportation, the commercial-vehicle trade show in Hanover.
More technically intriguing is a look at Full Self-Driving (FSD) V15, which is apparently receiving a major upgrade and is now said to have 10 billion parameters. At the same time, the first images of the Cybercab software menus have surfaced, further fueling speculation about Tesla’s robotaxi plans.
Beyond Tesla, autonomy and major corporate turmoil are also on the agenda: Waymo plans to bring its Jaguar fleet to Munich, which is guaranteed to spark debate. At VW, meanwhile, the mood is one of crisis, including rumors of a fire sale, talk of an electric Tiguan, and the job cuts and chaos at Cariad, VW Group’s software subsidiary.
There is also a rapid tour of ideas from other manufacturers: Mercedes is giving the electric GLA AMG a synthetic V8 soundtrack through its speakers, Volvo is using crowd-sourced data to warn drivers about moose, and BYD is delivering rocket vibes with the Denza Z9. All in all, the episode shows just how broad the EV landscape has become, spanning everything from software and autonomous driving to sound design and hard-nosed industrial policy.
