Tesla introduced the Model S, its first mass-produced electric car, in 2012.
The Model S was a battery-powered luxury sedan that followed Tesla’s limited-production Roadster. It demonstrated that an electric vehicle could combine long driving range, strong acceleration, and premium features rather than serving only as a small city car.
Tesla was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk joined as an early investor and became chairman; he later became the company’s chief executive. Tesla’s business expanded from vehicles into charging equipment, batteries, and solar-energy products.
The company became one of the world’s most valuable automakers by market capitalization. That measure can differ greatly from production rankings: a company may have a higher market value despite manufacturing fewer vehicles than established automobile groups.