Ludicrous

The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors

By: Edward Niedermeyer

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Tesla Motors and CEO Elon Musk have become household names, shaking up the staid auto industry by creating a set of innovative electric vehicles that have wowed the marketplace and defied conventional wisdom. The company's market valuation now rivals that of long-established automakers, and, to many industry observers, Tesla is defining the future of the industry. But behind the hype, Tesla has some serious deficiencies that raise questions about its sky-high valuation, and even its ultimate survival.

Tesla's commitment to innovation has led it to reject the careful, zero-defects approach of other car manufacturers, even as it struggles to mass-produce cars reliably, and with minimal defects. While most car manufacturers struggle with the razor-thin margins of mid-priced sedans, Tesla's strategy requires that the Model 3 finally bring it to profitability, even as the high-priced Roadster and Model S both lost money. And Tesla's approach of continually focusing on the future, even as commitments and deadlines are repeatedly missed, may ultimately test the patience of all but its most devoted fans.

In Ludicrous, journalist and auto industry analyst Edward Niedermeyer lays bare the disconnect between the popular perception of Tesla and the day-to-day realities of the company - and the cars it produces.

©2019 Edward Niedermeyer (P)2019 Gildan Media

Lots of compelling information

Overall an interesting book especially for people with automotive background that can set aside the hype and want an honest look at the company. The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 is that at times it can feel more negative than is needed especially given that the facts support the issues pointed out.

Explains the Fraud that Is

Awesome book that is well paced at explaining what I’ve always considered “The Theranos that hasn’t failed yet”.

Also explains why you never want to put your safety in the hands of a narcissist. Very well done and sticks to the facts.

Objective and to the point

Blunt objective assessment of Elon Musk, the center of Tesla & all his other endeavors. This was published in 2019, and so relevant & prescient almost 5 years later. Musk has gone to own Twitter, rebranded his favorite letter, & reckless experiments like Hyperloop has finally gone under. The downfall of all brilliant captains of industry is and always has been hubris.

Thorough is some ways, perceptive and subjective in others

The author does cover a good deal of greatly researched points, however, the book does seem to incline towards bashing Tesla and Elon Musk in general. The author simply says that other car companies will 'catch up' and Tesla's only way out would be to eventually acquired by one of the major auto companies, without getting into how Tesla is, right now, be able to deliver the specs the other car companies simply cannot. The author goes out of his way sometimes to tarnish the brand.

Great view into Tesla

Whether you’re a fan or a cynic about Tesla, this book provides great insights into the early days of Tesla. A bit to much emphasis on the forums but otherwise I enjoyed it.

Like Tesla, the book has flaws, but is still xlnt.

I liked the book, and thought it covered a lot of ground. But it seemed that at times the book was trying to draw a conclusion that Tesla was somehow not a long term player, surviving(temporarily) on Elon's charm and bs alone. The book fails to conclude that if Elon accomplishes half of what he says, the end accomplishment is game changing. I am not a Tesla fan or an Elon fan, per se, and think that Tesla stock is ridiculously overvalued. But the story, and the accomplishments of Tesla must be acknowledged as spectacular. The pace of innovation is spectacular, and the potential for commercial vans and trucks is almost without limit. Tesla is not smoke and mirrors, and is not going away anytime soon. I wish the book was just a little less skeptical.

Great Audiobook that tells the truth about Tesla!

Right now, with Tesla’s stock price at an all-time high, it might be hard to agree with the message delivered in this book. However, being a former Tesla fan and unfortunately, an owner, this book reminds you that Tesla is nothing more than a house of cards that will collapse someday.

what a crazy history

It seems like the line between a visionary and a con man is whether you're scheme is successful or not. in Tesla's case it they might pull it off. the book stepped through the history of the company and its promises and accomplishments, probably some would consider with a negative tone, but I don't know, it reads like an honest assessment to me. What is a bit depressing is that it seems like truth doesn't really matter in Tesla'scase, that promise and exaggeration are building a reality for the company that can ignore it's failures. I'll tell you one thing though, after reading this book my next car, which will be an EV, sure won't be a Tesla.

Aged like milk

I’m glad I read the book to get an alternative viewpoint from a real dyed-in-the-fur Tesla bear but his view is so dated and predictions so comically incorrect that I’m afraid it’s just another tome like Shelby Steele’s “A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can’t Win” from 2008.

worthy of a fast-speed listen

You'd think that the narrator or someone else listening before release would know how to pronounce "hyperbole" (not HYPER-bowl), And that the writer would know that it's a noun not an adjective. (which would be "hyperbolic" )

The story stopped grabbing me after the first third, but was still somewhat interesting.