Tesla

Engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning established Tesla in July 2003 with a mission to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. The company took its name from Nikola Tesla to honor his contributions to electromagnetism. Elon Musk joined as lead investor in early 2004 and became chairman, eventually assuming the role of CEO in 2008 after securing critical funding during a financial crisis. Ze'ev Drori served as interim leader between 2007 and 2008 before Musk took full control.

Tesla relocated its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto, California, to Austin, Texas, in 2021 while maintaining manufacturing facilities globally. The product lineup expanded from the initial Roadster in 2008 to include the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, the Semi truck, and the Cybertruck. By 2024, the company held a 17.6% share of the global battery electric vehicle market, though it lost its top manufacturer status by volume to competitors like BYD by late 2025.

The brand relies on social media engagement and word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. Recent developments include the August 2026 showcase of the Cybercab with integrated Starlink connectivity and permits sought for 5,000 robotaxis in Las Vegas. In 2026, the company also began retrofitting older Model 3 vehicles with Hardware 4 sensors and introduced Vehicle-to-Load adapters for the Model Y to power external devices. [edit]