Tesla Motors, Inc. is an American automotive and energy storage company that designs, manufactures, and sells electric cars, electric vehicle powertrain components, and battery products.[5][6][7] Tesla Motors is a public company that trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol TSLA.[8] During the first quarter of 2013, Tesla posted profits for the first time in its history.[9]

Tesla first gained widespread attention following their production of the Tesla Roadster, the first fully electric sports car.[10] The company's second vehicle is the Model S, a fully electric luxury sedan, which was followed by the Model X, a crossover. Its next vehicle is the Model 3.[11] Global Model S sales passed the 100,000 unit milestone in December 2015, three and a half years after its introduction.[12] The Model S was the world's best selling plug-in electric vehicle in 2015. As of December 2015, the Model S ranks as the world's second best selling plug-in car in history after the Nissan Leaf.[13] As of 31 March 2016, Tesla Motors has sold almost 125,000 electric cars worldwide since delivery of its first Tesla Roadster in 2008.[14]

Tesla manufactures equipment for home and office battery charging, and has installed a network of high-powered Superchargers across North America, Europe and Asia.[15] The company also operates a Destination Charging program, under which shops, restaurants and other venues are offered fast chargers for their customers.[16]

CEO Elon Musk has said that he envisions Tesla Motors as an independent automaker,[17] aimed at eventually offering electric cars at prices affordable to the average consumer.[18][19] Pricing for the Tesla Model 3, slated to begin retail deliveries by the end of 2017, will start at US$35,000 before any government incentives.