TESLA

The Fascinating History of Tesla

Adapted from Interestingengineering.com By Christopher McFadden July 05, 2020

+ Tesla: A History Of Innovation

Adapted from Forbes.com 29 Sept 2022

Why is the company named Tesla?

The company was named in honor of Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), the Serbian inventor and
engineer, one of the major pionneers in electricity who developed the first modern
alternating current (AC) motor.
How did Elon Musk start Tesla?
He didn't. Tesla was founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003.
Elon Musk joined Tesla in 2004. Musk was already a successful entrepreneur at the time, and
had made his fortune working for PayPal. He helped lead the Series A funding and invested
$6.3 million in Tesla stocks, becoming the company's chairman. 
Why was Tesla created?
Founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning started Tesla in 2003 in an attempt to
"solve a real problem": dependence on oil. In 2006, Tesla published its secret plan: "Build a
sports car. Use that money to build an affordable car. Use that money to build an even more
affordable car. While doing the above, also provide zero-emission electric power generation
options.”
What was revolutionary about Tesla’s first car model?
In 2006, Tesla unveiled the prototype for its first venture into the EV market, the Roadster.
The car used a lithium-ion battery, common in many electronic devices, like in your laptop,
and which enables customers to recharge the car using a standard wall outlet. It could travel
a total of 250 miles (402 km) on a single charge, and had an acceleration comparable to
other consumer sports cars of the day.
With a price tag of over $100,000, the Roadster was very much a luxury product. Although,
as we have seen, that was all part of the "Master Plan". 
When did Tesla go public?
A major event in the history of Tesla was when they finally went public in June of
2010. Opening on the NASDAQ at $17 a share.

What were the next decisive steps in 2011 2012?

 MODEL S : Tesla designed the world’s first-ever premium all-electric sedan.
“Combining safety, performance, and efficiency, the Model S reset the world’s expectations
for what an EV can achieve: longest range ever of up to 300 miles (483 km), and a record 0-
60 mph acceleration time of 2.28 seconds.” At just over $75,000 apiece, the Model S sedan
would be Tesla's next step in the "Master Plan" to produce a cheaper alternative to the
Roadster.
 Supercharger stations : 2012 also saw the emergence of Tesla's  "Supercharger" charging
stations. Initially, there were just six stations, all in California, but this would gradually be
expanded worldwide over the years to come. 
 the Model X SUV was unveiled on February 16, 2012. Stock Price: $2.28
With falcon-wing doors, seating for seven and a total range of about 340 miles, it was the
company’s most luxurious car yet. Tesla racked up $40 million in advanced sales and
promised the first models would be delivered in 2014. However, a series of setbacks delayed
production until later 2015.
What were the following decisive steps from 2013 onwards ?
 May 8, 2013: Tesla turned its first profit Stock Price: $3.72
 2014: The first Autopilot was launched Stock Price: $10.01
Tesla debuted the first Autopilot system, an AI-based driver-assistance program built into
the car’s software. 
 April 30, 2015: Tesla revealed the Powerwall and Powerpack Stock Price: $13.99
Tesla’s first big push into energy—aptly named “Tesla Energy”—kicked off with the reveal of
the Powerpack and Powerwall. These solar energy-based products were described as “a
suite of batteries for homes, businesses and utilities fostering a clean energy ecosystem and
helping wean the world off fossil fuels.” Remember ... “the Master plan”.
 March 31, 2016: Tesla unveiled the mass-market Model 3 Stock Price: $15.32
Elon Musk teased the long-awaited Model 3. He announced that the car would run 215 miles
per charge and could accelerate from 0-60mph in under six seconds.
Tesla planned an affordable starting price of $35,000. The Model 3 was slated to enter high-
volume production in early 2017.
But Musk also introduced a little controversy, declaring that Tesla would deliver 200,000
new vehicles in the second half of 2017. While Musk has long been renowned for his
exuberant confidence, this was the beginning of Tesla’s entanglements with overhyped
promises. Tesla ultimately produced just one-quarter of Musk’s stated 200,000 goal.
 November 2016: Tesla went all in Stock Price: $12.72
Tesla acquired solar installation firm SolarCity in 2016, at a cost of $2.6 billion and
reorganized its solar business into Tesla Energy. The move would spark a $13 billion lawsuit
over claims that Musk used the deal to enrich his family. An April 2022 ruling would decide in
Musk’s favor.
 March 3rd 2019 Model Y SUV fulfills next step of Tesla's "Master Plan” to bring an
"even-cheaper" EV to the masses. 
 November 21, 2019: Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck : 500 miles on a single charge, and
60mph in 2.9 seconds. While the Cybertruck was originally slated for a late 2021 release, its
official date was pushed back to 2023. Starting price : $39.900. Cybertruck pre-orders as of
Nov. 2022 : over 1.5 million units.

How has Tesla been going since the Covid settled on our planet ?
 January 10, 2020: Tesla broke a new record : it topped $86 billion, breaking the
record for the highest valuation of any American automaker in history.

 June 10, 2020: Tesla’s market cap grew : on this date, Tesla’s market valuation
soared to $1,000 per share. The company’s valuation surged to $180 billion,
surpassing Toyota and topping the value of BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen
combined.
 July 2020: Tesla turned a profit for a full year Stock Price: $106.16
After years of production mishaps and cash burn, Tesla finally announced that it had turned
a profit for four consecutive quarters, its first run of sustained profitability ever, with a $206
billion valuation, again surpassing Toyota to become the world’s most valuable automaker
by market cap.
  October 2020: Tesla began FSD beta testing Stock Price: $149.39
Tesla’s new Full Self-Driving software entered a new round of beta-testing. The full beta was
released nearly a year later after months of tests, tweaks, and refinements, allowing all Tesla
owners with an FSD-enabled system to turn on FSD features in beta mode.
 June 2021: The first Model S Plaid delivered Stock Price: $207.97
The car hit the streets, claiming the title of Tesla’s fastest, most powerful vehicle ever.

 August 19, 2021: Tesla had its first AI Day (AI = Artificial Intelligence)
Stock Price: $224.49
Last year, Tesla held its first “AI Day,” during which it unveiled the latest developments in
software, hardware, AI, robotics, computing and self-driving cars. The event intended to
attract the attention of potential candidates to assist in these projects. In particular, Tesla’s
team covered Tesla Autopilot, training data generation, Project Dojo and the D1 chip, and
the Tesla bot.
 December 1, 2021: Tesla moved to Texas Stock Price: $365.00
A few months after topping $1 trillion, Tesla officially moved its headquarters from Silicon
Valley to its new Gigafactory in Austin, Texas over disputes with California officials about
Covid-19 restrictions.
 March 22, 2022: Tesla opened its third factory Stock Price: $331.33
After months of delays and protests, Tesla finally opens its third car factory near Berlin,
Germany. Tesla uses the factory to build Model Y SUVs for the European market, and has
since begun expanding the factory to begin building batteries in the same location.
 April 7, 2022: Tesla opened its fourth factory Stock Price: $352.42
Tesla officially opened its fourth Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, marking the occasion with a
“Cyber Rodeo.” The company currently makes Model Y vehicles there and plans to expand
into Cybertruck production at this location in the future.
 September 2022: Tesla hosts its second annual AI Day Stock Price: $287.81
Tesla hosts its Annual AI Day, complete with futuristic predictions and a little flair “a lá Elon
Musk”.

What, exactly, his vision of the future holds in store remains to be seen—and one can only
imagine what it will actually bring.