Tesla, Inc. is an American multinational automotive and clean energy company headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, and named after inventor Nikola Tesla. Elon Musk joined in 2004, became chairman, and was named CEO in 2008, later recognized as a co-founder. The company produces battery electric vehicles, stationary energy storage, and solar products, launching models such as the Roadster (2008), Model S (2012), Model X (2015), Model 3 (2017), Model Y (2020), Semi (2022), and Cybertruck (2023). Tesla has been the world's most valuable automaker since July 2020, reaching a $1 trillion market capitalization multiple times (2021–2022, 2024–2025, and 2025–2026) and leading the battery electric vehicle market with a 17.6% share in 2024. However, by the end of 2025, it lost its status as the world's leading EV manufacturer, and in November 2025, shareholders approved a $1 trillion pay package for Musk, contingent on meeting specific goals over 10 years. The company has faced lawsuits, boycotts, and government scrutiny over allegations of worker rights violations, whistleblower retaliation, safety defects leading to recalls, and controversial statements from Musk about product timelines and driver-assist technology.