Tesla

Introduction

Tesla, Inc. is an American automaker and energy firm located in Austin, Texas. It is prominant for its electric vehicles and battery systems as the company operates across automotive, solar energy, and energy storage sectors. Tesla has grown into one of the most recognized names in clean energy since its launch in 2003.

History & Milestones

Tesla started its journey in San Carlos, California, with Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning at the helm. Elon Musk joined in 2004 with early investments. Tesla produced its first car, the Roadster, in 2008. It introduced several models, starting with the Model S and followed by the Model X, 3, and Y, over the years. They launched Semi and Cybertruck later. In 2010, Tesla became the first American carmaker since Ford to go public. Its Berlin and Shanghai factories increased its reach outside the U.S

Product & Services

Business Model & Strategy

Tesla builds cars in-house and sells them directly online and in branded stores. This vertical structure cuts third-party costs and gives the company end-to-end control. It focuses on software, AI, and vehicle automation, updating features through over-the-air upgrades. Its Gigafactories reduced production costs but boosted volume. Recent decisions reflect a transfer toward robotaxis and autonomy-first vehicle design.

Market Presence & Financials

Tesla had over 7,000 Supercharger stations and sold 1.77 million vehicles by late 2024. It held a 19.9% share in the EV market in 2023. Its revenue reached $97.7 billion in 2024, while net income fell to $7.1 billion. U.S. sales led at 48.9%, followed by China at 21.4%. Tesla’s energy business expanded with 31.4 GWh deployed in battery storage, despite a drop in vehicle output.

Leadership & Culture

Elon Musk has led Tesla since 2008. Robyn Denholm chairs the board. Tesla’s culture reflects Musk’s influence: fast-paced, engineering-driven, and often reactive. The firm emphasizes innovation but faces criticism for labor conditions and workplace behavior. Its employee count dropped to 125,665 in 2024 after layoffs.

Controversies & Challenges

Tesla faces scrutiny over labor rights, racial discrimination claims, and safety issues tied to Autopilot. It also includes regulatory recalls and software related lawsuits. Public perception has shifted, especially in Europe, following Elon Musk's ties with U.S. politics. Tesla has also seen backlash from data privacy concerns and its handling of vehicle range claims.

Future Outlook

Tesla plans to release autonomous models like the Cybercab and Robovan. A second generation Roadster is in development for 2025. The firm’s focus on robotaxis signals a long term bet on self driving tech. Still, its stock performance now hinges on public sentiment, international politics, and evolving EV competition.