Tesla Motors, a company that designs and manufactures electric cars, has succeeded in the automotive industry because of its innovative approach to technology. Elon Musk is the CEO and founder of Tesla Motors. The success of this company can be attributed to two things: a visionary leader with an ambitious outlook on what’s possible, coupled with a culture that values creativity and innovation from its employees.
Tesla Motors was founded to believe that electric vehicles could be just as good, if not better, than gasoline-powered cars. To change the world’s perspective on electric cars would require a new way of thinking. An approach that had more to do with technology than manufacturing.
Tesla entered into an agreement with Peter Rawlinson, Head of Vehicle Engineering for the Model S, formerly an executive at Lotus. Rawlinson thought Tesla could produce a car equivalent to traditional automobiles using electric powertrains instead of gas engines. He believed that the company should be “product-focused rather than production-focused” because their ability to innovate would lead them to succeed. This shift in approach opened doors for new ideas and opportunities.
At first, this method didn’t resonate with the engineers at Tesla, but they started seeing results from his strategies as time went on. The success of the Roadster (Tesla’s first production model) can be attributed to Peter’s leadership and how he encouraged all employees (not just engineers) to pitch in.
Tesla Motors’ culture is unique in that they require everyone, from the janitors to the engineers, to work together toward a common goal. The company is working hard to create a different kind of business model that harnesses creativity and inspires their employees with passion about what they are doing. It feeds off each employee’s desire to innovate and bring ideas from concept to life. Elon Musk wants this “creative environment where there’s a lot of debate and people are passionate about what they’re doing and figuring out how things can be better.”
The company’s approach to technology has allowed them to craft new ways of thinking about how things could be done. They believe that even though they may not know what the final product will look like, if they start with a foundation based on good ideas and feedback from their employees, they will create something revolutionary.
Tesla Motors is looking at all aspects of car development, including bodywork, interior features, and performance standards; powertrain; electronics; software; energy storage systems; safety mechanisms; charging infrastructure, and system management. Tesla Motors makes it possible for its employees to contribute innovative ideas that may not have been considered before by involving all teams in the creative process.