Tesla, founded in 2003, became the world’s most valuable automaker by market capitalization during the 2020s.
Tesla was incorporated in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk joined soon afterward as a major investor and became chairman, while later leading the company as chief executive. Tesla’s first production car, the Roadster, was introduced in 2008.
The Model 3 and Model Y helped Tesla move from a niche electric-car maker toward mass-market production. Investors also considered its battery technology, charging network, software, and potential autonomy businesses.
Market capitalization rankings can differ sharply from rankings by vehicle production or revenue. Tesla’s high valuation compared with established automakers reflected growth expectations, while production totals remained an important separate measure.