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In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Ross Gerber, co-founder and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, a Los Angeles-based investment firm managing over $1.5 billion in assets. Ross, a longtime Tesla investor and frequent media guest on outlets like CNBC, shares his insights into the future of mobility, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs), ridehailing services, and autonomous vehicles (AVs).

He talks about his investment interests, and some lessons from the early days of ridesharing. Ross also discusses the current ridesharing TAM and the position of autonomous vehicle providers like Waymo in the current market.

We touch on the Tesla robotaxi rollout and his thoughts on their vision only approach, against the multiple sensor approach of other players, and Uber’s position in a fragmented AV market.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Ross Gerber

(01:15) Ross’ investment interests, and the future of mobility.

(03:25) Background on Gerber Kawasaki

(05:12) Lessons from the early days of ridesharing

(09:27) Thoughts on the intersection of rideshare and autonomy

(12:37) Why a 100% robotaxi world is not feasible

(15:00) Waymo vs Uber

(18:35) What it’d take for Waymo to surpass Uber and Lyft’s market share

(21:56) Robotaxi limitations for older riders

(23:27) What is the investment potential in Waymo? And advertising opportunities

(27:43) Thoughts on Tesla’s robotaxi rollout

(33:00) Camera only vs multiple sensor approach

(34:10) Who benefits most from a fragmented AV market?

(35:08) How solid Uber’s AV platform approach is

(39:25) Ross’ insights on the current ridesharing Total Addressable Market (TAM)

(41:36) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

- Harry

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