What was Tesla’s first production car, launched in 2008?
Answer
Tesla Roadster
The Tesla Roadster was Tesla’s first production car and was launched in 2008.
Based on the Lotus Elise sports-car platform, the Roadster used a lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor. Its performance demonstrated that an electric car could be a high-performance sports car rather than only a short-range commuter vehicle.
Tesla delivered the first production Roadsters to customers in 2008. The company later developed the Model S sedan, Model X SUV, Model 3, and Model Y, which expanded its market beyond the limited-volume Roadster.
The original Roadster is distinct from the second-generation Roadster announced by Tesla in 2017. The newer model has not replaced the 2008 car’s place in Tesla history as the company’s first production vehicle.