Tonight, Rachel Maddow led her show with a hit piece against the Cybertruck & Elon, suggesting the proposed $400M for armored Teslas was an example of "self-dealing." Yet she conveniently left out that the procurement list was revised in Dec 2024, when Biden was President. The Tesla line item was last modified on December 13, 2024. Unfortunately, because Rachel entirely left out this important context, many of her 1.7 million nightly viewers will believe her misleading narrative. SpaceX wins their government contracts because they offer the lowest price and execute. It’s not a bad thing to serve the U.S. government with great capability and products at a low price relative to the competition. Tesla is the most American-made auto manufacturer in the U.S. Every Tesla sold in America is built in America. When you buy a Tesla, you are supporting American industry. Teslas have a lower cost of ownership compared to ICE cars. The government would likely save money buying armored Teslas instead of armored ICE cars, based on what we’ve seen with long local law enforcement trials.

Here's a summary of new Cybertruck+Powershare details shared at the Tesla Q&A hosted yesterday: Crash Safety Testing • Cybertruck has the shortest crush zone ever on a Tesla vehicle which presented unique challenges, especially given the Cybertruck’s massive size. To address this, Tesla’s engineering team ran 70 crash tests to fine-tune the crash structure and airbag deployment. • Real-world crash data from Tesla’s fleet influenced additional safety features beyond regulatory requirements, ensuring protection in non-standard crash scenarios. • The Cybertruck’s robust 300-series stainless steel exoskeleton adds structural integrity, enhancing passenger safety in severe collisions. Aerodynamics • Features include a wiper blade that repositions itself at speed for reduced drag and tow hitch panels that streamline airflow when not in use. • The truck’s edges and faceted surfaces were carefully sculpted to create eddy currents that reduce drag while maintaining a futuristic appearance. Even small details, like the alignment of side mirrors, contribute to overall efficiency. Off-Road Capabilities • Tesla developed an off-road version of Track Mode with terrain-specific features like Rock and Sand modes. These adjust traction control and power distribution to suit different environments: • Rock Mode minimizes wheel slippage for climbing obstacles. • Sand Mode emphasizes constant wheel spin to prevent getting stuck. • Electronically locking differentials are available on both the front and rear axles. The rear locker can even be used on slippery on-road surfaces like snow. • Rock sliders and undercarriage armor are in development to provide additional protection for off-road enthusiasts. While no exact release date was given, Tesla indicated these enhancements are coming soon. • The battery pack was intentionally designed with a vent gap between the cells and the bottom of the pack. This ensures that impacts to the underside during off-roading dent only the air gap, leaving the battery cells themselves unharmed. PowerShare Technology • Home backup integration allows the Cybertruck to act as a massive battery, powering a house for up to three days (or indefinitely with solar). The PowerShare Gateway can detect outages and transition the home off-grid within three seconds. • PowerShare updates to enable solar compatibility are expected to roll out by late December 2024 to early January 2025, as part of a larger holiday software update. Audio Innovation • Each speaker in the Cybertruck is independently connected to a nearby controller using an Ethernet-based protocol, resulting in a high-fidelity, low-latency audio experience. • The subwoofers are hidden beneath the rear seats but utilize the truck’s body structure as a resonating chamber, producing deep, powerful bass with minimal space. • Tesla emphasized delivering an immersive sound system that surpasses traditional designs by rethinking audio integration from the ground up. Range & Efficiency • Sentry mode was recently updated to use less energy, effectively extending battery life. • Future advancements in cell technology are expected to further increase range without requiring additional hardware changes. Unique Features • The Cybertruck’s matte stainless steel finish was chosen for a balance between aesthetics and functionality. While matte finishes are more fingerprint-prone, the design minimizes visible oil and dirt. • Removing the rear rolling window added two inches of rear legroom, significantly improving backseat comfort. ------- Here's the transcript of the Q&A: Thanks to @RyanTorresTesla, @wmorrill3, and Ari for being so generous with their time. And thanks for bringing @cybertruck to reality! Shout out to @BLKMDL3 for recording so I could create a transcript!

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