Tesla
Founded as Tesla Motors by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning; Elon Musk led its first funding round in 2004 and later became CEO. Tesla made electric vehicles mainstream.
Founded2003
HeadquartersSan Carlos, CA
IndustryAutomotive / Energy
Tesla Factory, Fremont, California · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Founders
Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning
Founded July 1, 2003
Landmark Achievements
- Its Roadster (2008) proved a battery-electric car could be high-performance and desirable, not a compromise.
- The Model S, Model 3, and Model Y made Tesla the dominant EV maker and pushed the global auto industry toward electrification.
- Built an integrated business of EVs, batteries, solar, and energy storage; became the world's most valuable automaker.
Tesla's place in the story
Continue through the chronicle — the builders of American technology, in founding order.