Tesla, Inc. is a leading American company that designs and sells electric vehicles, solar products, and energy storage solutions. Founded in 2003, it is known for its innovative approach and global market presence. Despite its success, Tesla has faced challenges and controversies over the years.
Tesla was born in 1856.
Nikola Tesla, the influential inventor and electrical engineer, is born on July 10th, 1856, in Smiljan, Croatia, marking the beginning of a remarkable life and career that would leave a lasting impact on science and technology.
On March 13th, a fire breaks out in Tesla's laboratory, inhibiting him from discovering X-rays and publishing his discovery of the electron. This event significantly impacts Tesla's research and experimental activities.
On January 7th, 1943, Tesla passed away at the age of 86 in his apartment at the New Yorker Hotel. It was also the year when the Supreme Court of America granted Tesla the rights to the invention of the radio.
Tesla starts a new company, the Tesla Electric Company, with a loan from A.K. Brown, the director of Western Union. He registers his most important patents, including the multiphase system of transmitting electricity, the induction motor, transformers, and generators.
Tesla is an electric vehicle and clean energy company founded by Elon Musk, known for its innovative technology and sustainable energy solutions.
Tesla, the electric vehicle and clean energy company, went public with its initial public offering (IPO) on July 1, 2003, marking a significant milestone in its journey to transform the automotive industry.
Tesla Motors, now known as Tesla, Inc., is an electric vehicle and clean energy company founded on July 1, 2003, by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. It is a leading player in the electric car market and sustainable energy solutions.
Tesla Motors signed a production contract on July 11, 2005, with Group Lotus to produce 'gliders' (complete cars minus powertrain) for the electric Roadster.
On July 19, 2006, Tesla Motors revealed The Roadster, its first 100% electric vehicle (EV) that refused to compromise on mileage or comfort.
In August 2, 2006, Tesla created its “Master Plan” which outlined the company’s long-term mission to expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy towards a solar electric economy.
On February 1, 2008, the first working Tesla Roadster was delivered to Elon Musk, marking a significant milestone under Ze’ev Drori’s leadership.
Germany's Daimler AG, maker of Mercedes-Benz, acquired an equity stake of less than 10% of Tesla for a reported US$50 million. According to Elon Musk, the Daimler investment saved Tesla.
On January 29, 2010, Tesla Motors filed Form S-1 with the SEC, indicating its intentions to file an IPO. The IPO was underwritten by financiers Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank Securities, marking a significant step in Tesla's financial strategy.
In April 20, 2010, Daimler claimed a 10% stake in Tesla, following their collaboration on a potential electric Smart car. This partnership demonstrated the growing interest in electric vehicle technology and the strategic value of Tesla's innovations.
On May 21, 2010, Tesla and Toyota formed a strategic partnership, with Toyota purchasing $50 million in Tesla's common stock. This partnership led to the development of the 2012 electric Toyota RAV4.
On June 29, 2010, Tesla became the first automaker to go public in the U.S. since Ford in 1956. The IPO dropped 13.3 million shares at $17 apiece, netting the company an initial $226.1 million.
Elon Musk unveiled the 'near-production' prototype of Tesla's new Model S to early reservation holders. The vehicle claimed a travel distance of 320 miles per charge and an acceleration from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Tesla unveiled its first SUV, the Model X, featuring falcon-wing doors, seating for seven, and a total range of about 340 miles. The company received $40 million in advanced sales and promised delivery of the first models in 2014, although production was delayed until later 2015.
Tesla delivered its first Model S to customers, setting a new standard for what electric vehicles could be capable of. The Model S quickly gained recognition and became the best-selling plug-in EV globally in 2015 and 2016.
Tesla turned its first profit in 2013, marking a significant milestone in the company's financial success.
In 2013, a Tesla Model S caught fire after hitting metal debris on a highway in Kent, Washington. The fire began in the battery pack and was caused by the impact of an object, leading to Tesla extending its vehicle warranty to cover fire damage.
In March 2014, the NHTSA closed the investigation into whether the Model S was prone to catch fire after Tesla announced additional protection for its battery packs.
On April 30, 2015, Tesla revealed the Powerwall and Powerpack, marking the company's significant entry into the energy sector with innovative solar energy-based products.
Tesla delivered the first Model X in September 29, 2015, after facing production delays due to its specialized design. The Model X marked a significant expansion in Tesla's product line.
On October 14, 2015, Tesla launched the Autopilot to customers, introducing features like centering the vehicle in its lane, assisted braking, and traffic-aware acceleration. These features are still part of the modern Autopilot system.
In 2016, a Model S driver died in a collision with a tractor-trailer while the vehicle was in Autopilot mode, marking the first fatality in a Tesla vehicle in Autopilot.
While at Tesla, she witnessed controversies surrounding the Autopilot feature and factory automation, highlighting the challenges and criticisms faced by the company.
On March 31, 2016, Elon Musk teased the long-awaited Model 3, revealing that the car would have a range of 215 miles per charge and an acceleration from 0-60mph in under six seconds. Tesla planned to offer the Model 3 at an affordable starting price of $35,000 to make it accessible to a wider range of consumers. The vehicle was scheduled for high-volume production in early 2017.
On May 4, 2016, Elon Musk announced ambitious production targets, stating that 2018 would see a half-million vehicles delivered, two years ahead of planned production targets. He further claimed that by 2020, Tesla would be producing one million vehicles annually, fueling further speculation and market surprises.
On June 21, 2016, Tesla announced plans to acquire Solar City. This move indicated Tesla's broader strategy to integrate sustainable energy solutions into its business model, marking a significant step in the company's evolution.
Elon Musk revealed the second half of Tesla's Master Plan, which included goals such as developing rooftop solar panels, rolling out more affordable vehicles, advancing Autopilot technology, and introducing a car-sharing program for Tesla owners.
Mobileye ended the partnership with Tesla on July 26, 2016, citing 'disagreements about how the technology was deployed.'
On August 1, 2016, Tesla agreed to acquire SolarCity Corp. for US$2.6 billion in stock. This acquisition positioned Tesla as a major player in the solar energy industry, expanding its product offerings beyond electric vehicles.
On October 26, 2016, Tesla posted a profitable quarter, their first in 8 quarters, defying industry expectations.
In November 2016, Tesla announced the formation of the Tesla Glass technology group, which produced the roof glass for the Tesla Model 3 and the glass used in the Tesla Solar Roof's solar shingles.
On February 1, 2017, Tesla changed its name from Tesla Motors to Tesla.
On April 20, 2017, Tesla issued a worldwide recall of 53,000 vehicles due to faulty parking brakes that could become stuck and prevent the vehicles from moving.
On June 5, 2017, Toyota announced that it had sold all of its shares in Tesla and halted the partnership.
The debut of the Model 3 sedan on July 7, 2017, led to a decline in Tesla's stock-market value due to factors that disappointed investors.
On July 28, 2017, Tesla launched the Model 3, a significant event in the company's history. The Model 3 aimed to make electric vehicles more accessible to the mass market.
Tesla released the first beta version of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software on October 22, 2020, to a small group of testers, sparking renewed concerns about the readiness of the technology for testing on public roads.
On November 16, 2017, Tesla unveiled the Semi truck concept, a sleek and futuristic rig with a center-mounted seat and a promised range of 500 miles. The concept also included potential self-driving capabilities and significant fuel cost savings for drivers.
In early January 2018, Tesla once again pushed back its production targets for the Model 3, forecasting that its factories would ramp up in Q2. This decision was made after Tesla had only produced 2,400 cars in three months, falling short of its promise of 5,000 units per week. The management attributed the delays to supply chain issues.
On February 6, 2018, Tesla made headlines by launching a car into space. The company's stock price was $22.26 at the time. This event garnered significant attention and showcased the innovative and unconventional approach of Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk.
In March 2018, a driver of a Tesla Model X was killed in a crash while the vehicle was in 'self-driving' mode. The NTSB investigation revealed that the Tesla malfunctioned due to confusion by the system, leading to the fatal collision.
On March 29, 2018, Tesla issued a worldwide recall of 123,000 Model S cars built before April 2016 due to corrosion-susceptible power steering bolts, which could fail and require increased force to control the vehicle.
On April 3, 2018, Elon Musk announced that Tesla did not need more capital. This announcement had a significant impact on Tesla's stock price.
On May 2, 2018, Tesla posted narrower-than-expected losses in its quarterly report, but the company was still burning through cash at exorbitant rates in an attempt to meet its production goals. The stock plunged after Musk refused to answer questions in an 'epic' earnings call.
On May 3, 2018, Tesla shares slumped with a stock price of $18.96. This event had an impact on Tesla's financial performance.
On July 1, 2018, Tesla achieved Musk’s goal of producing over 5,000 Model 3 sedans in a week, and later secured a deal to build a new auto plant in Shanghai, the first Chinese-based auto plant fully owned by outside interests.
In August 2018, Tesla reported its biggest-ever loss as a company, but shares rose as Musk hyped up investors, promising positive cash flows, bigger profits, and more consistent Model 3 production in the second half of 2018.
On August 7, 2018, Elon Musk tweeted about considering taking Tesla private at $420, leading to subsequent legal and financial implications.
On August 8, 2018, Elon Musk announced on social media that he was considering taking Tesla private, leading to controversy and legal issues, including a securities fraud charge from the SEC. This event also resulted in Musk stepping down as the company's chairman.
On August 13, 2018, Elon Musk disclosed further details about his discussions to take Tesla private, including involvement with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, but later walked back his claims of guaranteed funding, leading to increased scrutiny from the SEC.
On February 25, 2019, the SEC sought contempt against Elon Musk, indicating ongoing legal challenges and entanglements between Musk and the SEC.
On March 3, 2019, Tesla unveiled the Model Y, a midsize SUV that seats up to seven and boasts a 300 mile charge.
Elon Musk announces that Netflix and YouTube streaming will be available in Tesla vehicles.
In October 2019, the NHTSA opened an investigation into possible battery defects in Tesla's Model S and X vehicles from 2012 to 2019 that could cause 'non-crash' fires.
On October 23, 2019, Tesla started production at its Shanghai factory, marking the opening of its first Gigafactory outside the United States. The factory took just ten months to complete and propelled Tesla into the Chinese auto market.
On November 21, 2019, Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck.
As of December 31, 2019, Musk owns 38,658,670 Tesla shares or 20.8% of the company.
On January 10, 2020, Tesla topped $86 billion, breaking the record for the highest valuation of any American automaker in history.
Tesla issued US$2 billion of new shares on February 18, 2020.
On March 9, 2020, Tesla produced its 1 millionth electric car, becoming the first auto manufacturer to achieve such a milestone, highlighting the company's pioneering role in the electric vehicle market.
Elon Musk defied local government orders by restarting production at the Tesla Fremont Factory on May 11th, 2020, despite negotiations with Alameda County officials to reopen on the 18th.
On June 10, 2020, Tesla’s market valuation soared to $1,000 per share, surpassing Toyota and topping the value of BMW, Daimler, and Volkswagen combined.
On July 1, 2020, Tesla reached a market capitalization of US$206 billion, surpassing Toyota's US$202 billion to become the world's largest automaker by market capitalization.
On July 23, 2020, Tesla announced Austin, Texas, as the site for its Gigafactory Texas, where the Tesla Cybertruck and Model Y cars are produced, and later relocated its legal headquarters to the same site in Austin.
Elon Musk announced that Teslas will soon have the capability to stream Netflix and YouTube.
On August 12, 2020, Tesla announced a 5-for-1 stock split, which took effect on August 31, 2020.
Elon Musk confirmed that Teslas will soon be able to stream Netflix and YouTube.
On August 31, 2020, Tesla implemented a 5-for-1 stock split to make its per-share price more appealing and affordable, reducing its value from $2,230 per share to $446.
The release of the beta version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in October 2020 renewed concerns about whether the technology is ready for testing on public roads.
On December 21st, 2020, Tesla achieved a significant milestone by being included in the S&P 500 index after years of growth and challenges.
By December 31st, 2020, Tesla officially delivered 499,550 vehicles in 2020, just 450 vehicles short of its 500,000-unit production goal for the year, marking a significant achievement for the company.
On March 24, 2021, Tesla started accepting bitcoin as a form of payment for US vehicle purchases, but later ended bitcoin payments over concerns about the cryptocurrency's impact on fossil fuel consumption.
In June 2021, the NHTSA initiated at least 30 investigations into Tesla crashes involving the use of Autopilot, some of which involved fatalities.
On August 19, 2021, Tesla held its first 'AI Day,' where it unveiled the latest developments in software, hardware, AI, robotics, computing, and self-driving cars. The event aimed to attract potential candidates to assist in Tesla's innovative projects.
In early September 2021, the NHTSA ordered Tesla to hand over extensive data related to US cars with Autopilot to determine if there is a safety defect leading to collisions with first-responder vehicles, indicating a significant safety concern.
On October 25, 2021, Tesla achieved a significant milestone by reaching a $1 trillion valuation. This highlighted the company's remarkable growth and impact on the stock market.
On December 1, 2021, Tesla announced the relocation of its legal headquarters from Palo Alto to the Gigafactory Texas site in Austin, while retaining the Palo Alto building, signifying a strategic shift in the company's operational focus.
On December 30, 2021, Tesla announced a recall of more than 475,000 US model vehicles, including Model 3 and Model S, due to rear-view camera issues and potential problems with the trunk or boot.
In February 2022, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging racism and harassment towards Black employees at its Fremont, California plant. The lawsuit followed a three-year investigation, revealing claims of segregation, racist language, unequal career opportunities, and pay disparities for Black employees at the plant.
On March 22, 2022, Tesla opened its third car factory near Berlin, Germany. The factory is used to build Model Y SUVs for the European market, and Tesla has since begun expanding the factory to begin building batteries in the same location.
On April 7, 2022, Tesla officially opened its fourth Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, marking the occasion with a 'Cyber Rodeo.' The company currently makes Model Y vehicles there and plans to expand into Cybertruck production at this location in the future.
In June 2022, the NHTSA announced the expansion of its probe into Tesla, extending it to 830,000 cars from all current Tesla models to explore the degree to which Autopilot and associated Tesla systems may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks.
In August 2022, a safety test conducted by the Dawn Project demonstrated issues with Tesla's Full Self-Driving, leading to controversy over its conclusions.
In September 2022, Tesla was preparing for a fully-electric, fully-autonomous future.
Initial deliveries of the Tesla Semi were made to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022, featuring its impressive power and range.
Tesla held its Model 3 launch in June 2023, with the first cars going to Elon Musk and Tesla employees.
Deliveries of the Cybertruck began on November 30, 2023.
Tesla's stock prices decrease due to a failure to meet delivery targets.
Tesla is discussing the possibility of licensing its Full Self-Driving technology with a major automaker.
Tesla is discussing the possibility of licensing its Full Self-Driving technology with a major automaker.