Tesla

 

Tesla, Inc., formerly Tesla Motors, Inc., is an American multinational automotive and clean energy company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2003, Tesla designs, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems, solar panels, solar roof tiles, and related products and services. Led by CEO Elon Musk since 2008, the company is a pioneer in sustainable energy and autonomous driving technology. As of October 2025, Tesla's market capitalization hovers around $1 trillion, making it one of the world's most valuable automakers, with a focus on expanding into AI, robotics, and energy solutions.

### Founding and History

Tesla was founded on July 1, 2003, in San Carlos, California, by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning as Tesla Motors, named after inventor Nikola Tesla. The company's initial goal was to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy by producing high-performance electric cars. In 2004, Elon Musk led a $6.5 million Series A funding round and became chairman. After internal disputes, Musk assumed the CEO role in 2008, ousting Eberhard.

Key milestones include the launch of the Tesla Roadster in 2008, the first production EV with a range over 200 miles per charge; the Model S sedan in 2012; the Model X SUV in 2015; the mass-market Model 3 in 2017; and the Model Y crossover in 2020. Tesla went public in 2010 at $17 per share, raising $226 million. In 2016, it acquired SolarCity for $2.6 billion to integrate solar energy products. The company rebranded to Tesla, Inc., in 2017 to reflect its broader scope. Tesla achieved profitability in 2020 and joined the S&P 500 that year. By 2021, its market cap surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, though it fluctuated. In 2024, Tesla led the battery electric vehicle market globally, and its valuation exceeded $1 trillion again between November 2024 and February 2025.

Tesla has expanded manufacturing with Gigafactories in Nevada (2016), New York (2017), Shanghai (2019), Berlin (2022), and Texas (2021), where it relocated its headquarters from Palo Alto, California, in 2021. The Austin Gigafactory produces the Cybertruck, launched in 2023, and supports energy storage production.

### Products and Services

Tesla's core offerings include electric vehicles, energy products, and software services:

- **Electric Vehicles**: The lineup features the Model S (luxury sedan, starting at ~$75,000), Model 3 (compact sedan, ~$37,000 for the new lower-priced version), Model X (SUV, ~$80,000), Model Y (crossover, ~$40,000 for the new $39,990 version), Cybertruck (electric pickup, starting at ~$60,000), and the Semi (commercial truck, deliveries began in 2022). Upcoming models include the next-generation affordable EV platform and the Cybercab robotaxi, unveiled in 2024.

- **Energy Products**: Tesla Energy provides Powerwall home batteries, Powerpack and Megapack for utility-scale storage, solar panels, and Solar Roof tiles. In 2025, deployments of energy storage reached record levels.

- **Software and Services**: Full Self-Driving (FSD) software enables advanced driver assistance and aims for autonomy. Tesla also offers insurance, supercharging networks (over 50,000 stalls globally), and vehicle servicing. In 2025, Tesla introduced lower-priced Model 3 and Y variants to counter the loss of U.S. EV tax credits under policy changes.

### Financial Performance

Tesla's financial trajectory has been marked by rapid growth interspersed with volatility. From losses in its early years, the company turned profitable in 2020 with a net income of $721 million, growing to over $15 billion by 2023. However, 2024 saw a decline in net income for the first time since 2020, attributed to increased competition and economic pressures.

In Q3 2025, Tesla reported its strongest quarter, boosted by a rush for EVs before the expiration of a $7,500 U.S. tax credit. Deliveries and production figures were robust, with expectations for Q3 revenue of $26.58 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.55. For the full year 2025, analysts project continued growth in vehicle deliveries (aiming for 2 million units) and energy deployments. As of October 2025, Tesla's stock (TSLA) trades amid optimism for robotaxi and AI developments, though facing scrutiny over executive compensation.

### Leadership

Elon Musk serves as CEO and product architect, owning about 13% of the company. Other key executives include CFO Vaibhav Taneja and Senior Vice President of Automotive Tom Zhu. Musk's vision drives Tesla's innovation but has also led to controversies, including his dual roles at multiple companies like SpaceX and xAI.

### Controversies

Tesla has faced numerous challenges, including production delays (e.g., Cybertruck), safety concerns with Autopilot/FSD (multiple investigations by NHTSA), labor issues, and environmental impacts of mining for batteries. In 2018, Musk's tweet about taking Tesla private led to an SEC fraud charge, settled with fines.

Recent controversies include a 2023 factory accident lawsuit seeking $56 million from a technician injured by a robot, and opposition to Musk's proposed $1 trillion compensation package (tied to milestones like doubling Tesla's value to $8.5 trillion). Proxy advisor ISS urged shareholders to vote against it in October 2025, citing concerns over dilution and governance. Additionally, Tesla has been criticized for overpromising on timelines for full autonomy and robotaxis.

### Recent Activities as of October 2025

Tesla's Q3 2025 production and deliveries report highlighted strong performance, with financial results scheduled for October 22. The company unveiled a $39,990 Model Y to offset lost tax credits and is preparing for robotaxi developments and next-gen vehicles. Earnings calls are expected to focus on AI integration and autonomy progress. Amid stock volatility, Tesla continues to invest in Gigafactory expansions and energy storage, while facing shareholder pushback on Musk's pay plan. In Japan, Tesla's advancements in autonomous driving have garnered media attention.

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