OpenAI Drama, Ford's EV Plant Downsize and Police Hogging Hybrids

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On the homestretch to Thanksgiving, we’re concluding a rollercoaster week at OpenAI with Sam Altman's surprising reinstatement. We’re also talking about Ford's strategic downscaling of its Michigan EV battery plant, and Ford discontinuing certain hybrid models to prioritize police.

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:40) More than Cars Premiere

(00:02:45) BOGO Sale ASOTU Swag

(00:03:21) OpenAI brings Sam Altman back as CEO

(00:07:31) Ford Scales down EV Battery Plant in Michigan

(00:09:55) Ford is Killing the Explorer Hybrid Because Cops are Buying All of Them

• After a wild few days, Sam Altman, initially ousted as OpenAI CEO, has been rapidly reinstated following intense pressure from stakeholders and a massive-exodus threat from employees
  • At 1am today , Alman posted on X, “i love openai, and everything i’ve done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together. when i decided to join msft on sun evening, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. with the new board and w satya’s support, i’m looking forward to returning to openai, and building on our strong partnership with msft.”
  • Former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers join OpenAI's board.
  • Hundreds of OpenAI employees threatened to move to Microsoft if Altman wasn't reinstated.
  • “Returning to OpenAI & getting back to coding tonight,” - Greg Brockman, OpenAI co-founder.

• Ford announced they are scaling back their plans for its EV battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, citing slower-than-expected EV adoption
  • Ford is restarting construction but reducing the plant's size and capacity, impacting job creation and investment.
  • The project now anticipates 1,700 jobs as opposed to the initial estimate of 2500, a 32% decrease, and a total investment cut to $2.2 billion.
  • Despite scaling down, Ford remains committed to EVs, including LFP and NCM battery technologies

• Ford has stopped production of the Explorer and Lincoln Aviator Hybrids, apparently redirecting focus to meet the high demand for the Explorer Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid.
• The decision is driven by strong demand from police departments for the hybrid police vehicle.
• The Explorer Hybrid's limited efficiency improvement over the base model contributed to its discontinuation only providing an additional 2 mpg of efficiency
• However, police departments favor the hybrid for its fuel efficiency during idle periods, offering a sizable reduction of operati

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