Tesla, Inc. (formerly named Tesla Motors) is an American automaker, energy storage company, and solar panel manufacturer based in Palo Alto, California.[7] Founded in 2003, the company specializes in electric cars, lithium-ion battery energy storage, and, through their SolarCity subsidiary, residential solar panels.[8][9][10][11]

Tesla first gained widespread attention following production of the Roadster, the first mass-produced electric sports car, in February 2008.[12] The company's second vehicle, the Model S, an electric luxury sedan, debuted in June 2012 and is built at the Tesla Factory in California. The Model S has been the world's best-selling plug-in electric car for two years in a row, 2015 and 2016.[13][14] Its global sales achieved the 150,000 unit milestone in November 2016, four years and five months after its introduction.[15] As of December 2016, the Model S ranks as the world's all-time second best-selling plug-in after the Nissan Leaf.[16] The Model S was then followed in September 2015 by the Model X, a crossover SUV. Tesla's fourth vehicle that is designed for the mass-market is the Model 3,[17] which was unveiled in March 2016 and its production started in July 2017 with a base price of US$35,000, before any government incentives.

Tesla global sales passed the 200,000 unit milestone in March 2017, making the carmaker the second largest global pure electric car manufacturer after the Renault–Nissan Alliance.[22][23] For two years running, 2015 and 2016, Tesla ranked as the world's second best selling manufacturer of plug-in electric cars after BYD Auto.[13][24][25] Musk, the CEO, has said that he envisions Tesla as a technology company and independent automaker,[26] aimed at eventually offering electric cars at prices affordable to the average consumer.[27][28]

Tesla has a network of high-powered Superchargers located across North America, Europe and Asia for Tesla vehicles.[29] The company also operates a Destination Charging program, under which shops, restaurants and other venues are offered fast chargers for their customers.[30] Although Tesla operates a number of production and assembly plants, the company's most iconic facility is the Gigafactory 1 near Reno, Nevada, where Panasonic builds 21-70 cells for Tesla batteries. Tesla also manufactures the Tesla Powerwall, Powerpack batteries, solar panels (in varying form factors) and solar roof tiles for home and industry applications.

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