Tesla was founded in 2003 and developed the electric car Model S.
Tesla was incorporated in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk joined as an early investor and became chairman, while the company later developed its own prominent public identity under his leadership. Tesla’s first production vehicle was the Roadster, followed by the Model S sedan in 2012.
The Model S helped demonstrate that a battery-electric car could combine long range, high performance, and premium features. Tesla later expanded its lineup with the Model X, Model 3, and Model Y, while building charging and battery-manufacturing infrastructure.
Tesla is sometimes incorrectly described as being founded by Elon Musk alone. He was a crucial early investor and executive, but the company’s incorporation preceded his involvement. The company’s legal name changed from Tesla Motors to Tesla, Inc. in 2017.