Tesla was founded this day in 2003.
20 years ago, it was unclear if the company would ever sell one vehicle.
This year, it may sell 2 million.
And revenue may top $100 billion.
Here are 8 key moments from the past two decades… 🧵
20 years ago, it was unclear if the company would ever sell one vehicle.
This year, it may sell 2 million.
And revenue may top $100 billion.
Here are 8 key moments from the past two decades… 🧵
Let’s start in late 2008, five years after the company got started.
Elon nearly went broke saving the business.
The economy was collapsing and he nearly had to pick between saving Tesla or SpaceX.
A last minute funding round helped Tesla forge ahead.
Elon nearly went broke saving the business.
The economy was collapsing and he nearly had to pick between saving Tesla or SpaceX.
A last minute funding round helped Tesla forge ahead.
Another big moment was in 2009.
Daimler acquired nearly 10% of Tesla for roughly $50 million.
(It has since sold its stake)
It was a vote of confidence, ahead of the Model S launch.
“We were saved by Daimler,” Musk has said.
It also helped pave the path to Tesla’s IPO.
Daimler acquired nearly 10% of Tesla for roughly $50 million.
(It has since sold its stake)
It was a vote of confidence, ahead of the Model S launch.
“We were saved by Daimler,” Musk has said.
It also helped pave the path to Tesla’s IPO.
Speaking of which…
In 2010, Tesla became the first car company to public in the U.S. since Ford’s IPO in 1956.
“The smartest money in the world is betting on Tesla. They must have a reason for doing so,” Musk said.
The stock has since risen 16,335%.
In 2010, Tesla became the first car company to public in the U.S. since Ford’s IPO in 1956.
“The smartest money in the world is betting on Tesla. They must have a reason for doing so,” Musk said.
The stock has since risen 16,335%.
That same year, Tesla moved into its first factory…
…a plant previously run by GM and Toyota that had closed down.
It is now called the most productive auto plant in America.
And it set the stage for Tesla’s big manufacturing plan.
…a plant previously run by GM and Toyota that had closed down.
It is now called the most productive auto plant in America.
And it set the stage for Tesla’s big manufacturing plan.
2011 was a big year for rolling out Tesla stores.
The first opened in 2008, thanks to a heavy sell job by Musk.
Now, they were at high end shopping centers.
Unlike dealerships, there was no haggling with salespeople.
These were educational showrooms to help build the brand.
The first opened in 2008, thanks to a heavy sell job by Musk.
Now, they were at high end shopping centers.
Unlike dealerships, there was no haggling with salespeople.
These were educational showrooms to help build the brand.
In 2012, Tesla unveiled its plan to build a network of charging stations.
Recent deals with GM and Ford highlight the power of the network.
But a decade ago, Musk had nothing.
And he needed to convince customers they could drive a Tesla cross-country.
Recent deals with GM and Ford highlight the power of the network.
But a decade ago, Musk had nothing.
And he needed to convince customers they could drive a Tesla cross-country.
In the first quarter of 2013, Tesla reported its first profit.
It came after a $90 million loss in the previous quarter and helped silence some of the skeptics.
Tesla’s stock rallied over the next year, boosting the company’s market value by more than $25 billion.
It came after a $90 million loss in the previous quarter and helped silence some of the skeptics.
Tesla’s stock rallied over the next year, boosting the company’s market value by more than $25 billion.
And in 2017…the Model 3 ramp up.
A mass market vehicle was key to Musk’s 2006 master plan.
It meant “production hell,” with Musk sleeping on the factory floor.
But since the launch of the Model 3, Tesla’s market value has risen by $750 billion.
A mass market vehicle was key to Musk’s 2006 master plan.
It meant “production hell,” with Musk sleeping on the factory floor.
But since the launch of the Model 3, Tesla’s market value has risen by $750 billion.
More details on these moments in the subscriber section.
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