# Tesla (DD-520)

> Tesla was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning; Elon Musk led its 2004 funding round, became chairman and later CEO. Its first car, the Roadster, arrived in 2008, followed by the Model S (2012), Model X, Model 3 and Model Y. The company also sells energy storage and solar products. The footage, credited to Tesla, shows Tesla vehicles.

- Department: Tech (also Cars)
- First published: 2025-03-20
- Last updated: 2025-03-20
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/tesla/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **2003**: Tesla founded
- **2008**: Roadster launched

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=tesla

## Quick facts

- **DD-520-F01**: 2003. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded))_
- **DD-520-F02**: Eberhard, Tarpenning. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Founders))_

## Write-up

Tesla was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk joined as lead investor in 2004.

1. **Founded**: 2003.
2. **Founders**: Eberhard, Tarpenning.
3. **Musk**: Joined 2004.
4. **First car**: Roadster, 2008.
5. **Models**: S, X, 3, Y.

## Related case files

- [Tesla Bot (DD-545)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/tesla-bot/): I linked more Tesla
- [The Boring Company (DD-528)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-boring-company/): I linked another Musk company

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Tesla: Tesla Was Founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning

- Duration: 22.9 s · Published: 2025-03-20
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DHbhBndSx3a.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? Tesla is a leading electric vehicle and clean energy company founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. With Elon Musk joining shortly after as its most prominent figure, Tesla revolutionized the EV industry with high-performance, long-range electric cars, starting with the Roadster in 2008, and later expanding to mass-market models like the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Founded?**  
A: Year. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded) · Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.)_

**Q: First car?**  
A: 2008. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Founders) · Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.)_

**Q: Co-founder?**  
A: Founders. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Musk) · Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.)_

**Q: Musk joined?**  
A: Investor. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (First car) · Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.)_

**Q: Also sells?**  
A: Energy. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Models) · Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Tesla, Inc.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla,_Inc.)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Tesla." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-520, last updated Mar 20, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/tesla/