Tesla Motors, the American electric vehicle and clean energy company, was founded in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. The company was named after the renowned inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla, and was incorporated with the mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
In February 2004, Elon Musk became the largest shareholder of Tesla Motors with a $6.5 million investment. Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur, investor, and engineer, had previously co-founded PayPal and was an early investor in Tesla. He was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2004 and has served as CEO since 2008.
Under Musk’s leadership, Tesla Motors has become a leader in the electric vehicle industry. The company has developed a range of electric cars, including the Tesla Roadster, Model S, Model X, and Model 3. Tesla has also developed energy storage products, such as the Powerwall and Powerpack, as well as solar roof tiles.
In addition to his role as CEO of Tesla Motors, Musk is also the founder and CEO of SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company. He is also the founder of The Boring Company, a tunnel construction company, and Neuralink, a neurotechnology company.
Despite his impressive list of accomplishments, Musk is most widely known as the first owner of Tesla Motors. His early investment in the company and subsequent leadership have been instrumental in Tesla’s success. Musk’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has helped to make Tesla Motors a leader in the electric vehicle industry.