Tesla's Musk dials into Volkswagen executive conference

[TruckElectric]

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SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk visits the construction site of Tesla's gigafactory in Gruenheide, near Berlin, Germany, May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi/File Photo


FRANKFURT, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA.O) boss Elon Musk has addressed 200 Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) executives via a video call after an invitation from the German carmaker's CEO Herbert Diess, who wants to galvanise VW's top brass for a faster pivot to electric vehicles.

The comments on Thursday by Musk to a VW managers gathering in Alpbach, Austria, confirmed by Diess via Twitter on Saturday after a report in Handelsblatt daily, included praise of VW for being an "icon" and Tesla's greatest challenger, Handelsblatt said.

The paper said that when asked by Diess why Tesla was more nimble than its rivals, Musk said it came down to his management style and that he is an engineer, first of all, and has an eye for supply chains, logistics and production.

In a post on Linkedin, Diess added that he had brought in Musk as a "surprise guest" to drive home the point that VW needs faster decisions and less bureaucracy for what he called the biggest transformation in VW's history.

"Happy to hear that even our strongest competitor thinks that we will succeed (in) the transition if we drive the transformation with full power," Diess said on Linkedin.

As an example of Tesla's prowess, Diess said it took the rival only two to three weeks to rewrite software to allow for a switch from one type of microchip, which went out of stock, to another.

Diess said in his Saturday tweet that VW, which has emerged as the main contender to Tesla for global electric vehicle supremacy, would continue its dialogue with Tesla.

"We will visit you soon in Gruenheide," the CEO said.

Diess warned last month that the planned opening of Tesla's car factory at Gruenheide near Berlin, the company's first in Europe, will force local industry to step up its game against the fast-growing U.S. electric vehicle maker. read more

Tesla is awaiting final building approval for the 5.8 billion euro ($6.8 billion) German site. read more

VW, in turn, plans to build six large battery factories in Europe by 2030 as part of an all-in bet on electric mobility. read more

Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by David Holmes


https://www.reuters.com/business/au...o-volkswagen-executive-conference-2021-10-16/

 

[Crissa]

And that is why Elon is a class act.

-Crissa

 

[TruckElectric]

Will GM's Mary Barra be the next to invite Elon?

Ford's Jim Farley?

Stellantis' Carlos Tavares?

 

[firsttruck]

Will GM's Mary Barra be the next to invite Elon?

Ford's Jim Farley?

Stellantis' Carlos Tavares?

Toyota CEO & heir of founder, Akio Toyada wants Elon to speak to Toyota executives about hydrogen for passenger cars.

 

[Cyberman]

Toyota CEO & heir of founder, Akio Toyada wants Elon to speak to Toyota executives about hydrogen for passenger cars.

Fool cells?

 

[Crissa]

Fool cells?

Fuel cells are great technology.

They're just too bulky and expensive for passenger cars. They're possibly great for ships and spacecraft. And maybe even semi trucks. Anything where you need a consistent power output and can deal with bulky, expensive gear.

-Crissa

 

[CyberGus]

ELON MUSK TO SPEAK AT NIKOLA MOTORS' SHAREHOLDER MEETING
"Looks like it's all downhill from here"

 

[FutureBoy]

Will GM's Mary Barra be the next to invite Elon?

Ford's Jim Farley?

Stellantis' Carlos Tavares?

They are all still thinking, “Who is Elon Musk?”

 

[Ogre]

Toyota CEO & heir of founder, Akio Toyada wants Elon to speak to Toyota executives about hydrogen for passenger cars.

I’m pretty sure he does *not* want Elon sharing his opinion of Hydrogen fuel cell cars with Toyota management. In fact he’d prefer Musk not talk to anyone about Hydrogen.

 

[Ogre]

Will GM's Mary Barra be the next to invite Elon?

Ford's Jim Farley?

Stellantis' Carlos Tavares?

They are all too busy saying “We’ve been at this for 100 years….”

 

[CyberGus]

I’m pretty sure he does *not* want Elon sharing his opinion of Hydrogen fuel cell cars with Toyota management. In fact he’d prefer Musk not talk to anyone about Hydrogen.

First rule of hydrogen club: don't talk about hydrogen club

 

[damnitjim]

I've been wondering when VAG will have a battery and FW upgrade for my Q5 55e PHEV to go from 30 miles on a charge to 100 or more as battery tech improves.