Only One of These Cars Can Make Money
Sep 16, 2025 · 24:08
Maxinomics pits Tesla against Waymo in the robotaxi race, with host Phil Andrews arguing the winner will be decided by who can build vehicles cheaper — Andrew Carnegie's vertical integration playbook. In a three-leg San Francisco test, a Tesla on full self-driving finished in 63 minutes versus 78:59 for Waymo — a 16-minute gap that would let Tesla serve the same riders with 25% fewer cars. Tesla bets cameras alone can match human driving; Waymo runs 29 sensors including lidar, echoing Edison's losing DC bet in a winner-takes-most market. Waymo's cars cost an estimated $100,000 each versus Tesla's $38,000 Model Y; instead Waymo partners with Chrysler, Jaguar, Hyundai and Zeekr — an Android-style playbook adding supplier margins and geopolitical risk after Zeekr delisted from the NYSE.
