What you didn't know about Tesla.

Summary

This video script delves into the intriguing world of Tesla, highlighting its innovative electric cars, unique company culture, and the eccentric CEO, Elon Musk. From the car's always-on feature and Sentry mode for security, to the playful Easter eggs like 'romance mode' and customizable farts, Tesla offers a blend of technology and fun. The company's unconventional approach, including its employee handbook and Musk's ambitious ventures like SpaceX and Neuralink, showcases a drive for innovation beyond traditional automotive boundaries. The script also touches on Tesla's financial milestones, legal battles, and ambitious projects like the Gigafactory and the Tesla Bot, all underlining the brand's commitment to a sustainable energy future.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Tesla's logo represents a cross-section of an electric engine invented by Nikola Tesla, who is also the inspiration for the company's name.
• 🔒 Tesla cars are always 'on' and can be controlled via a phone app, making them difficult to steal due to their Sentry mode and continuous camera recording.
• 💕 The car features 'Easter eggs' like Romance mode, which creates a cozy atmosphere with fire visuals, warm air, and romantic music.
• 🎨 Teslas come with creative tools such as 'Tracks' for music creation and a sketch pad for artistic expression.
• 📢 The car has an external speaker, initially a government requirement for safety, which Tesla humorously uses for various sound effects.
• 💨 Tesla cars have a 'fart' menu with customizable sounds that can be triggered in various ways, adding a playful element to the driving experience.
• 💰 Despite being the most valuable car company by stock price, Tesla's revenue and car sales are significantly lower than traditional automakers like Toyota.
• 🏭 Tesla is building the largest battery production plant, the Gigafactory, aiming to meet the demand for electric vehicles and run on renewable energy.
• 🛠️ Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, is known for his unconventional management style and has a colorful history with other ventures like SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.
• 🚀 Musk famously launched his personal Tesla car into space as a payload for a SpaceX rocket test, which is still orbiting our solar system.
• 🤖 Tesla is expanding into non-automotive areas with projects like the Tesla Bot, designed to perform dangerous, repetitive, or boring tasks.

Q & A

What is the origin of Tesla's name and logo?

Tesla's name and logo are derived from the inventor Nikola Tesla, who invented the alternating current that powers our homes and gadgets today. The logo is a cross-section of an electric engine he invented.

How do Tesla cars remain connected even when turned off?

Tesla cars are always on standby, allowing owners to control them via a phone app, which also contributes to making them hard to steal by enabling tracking and monitoring.

What is Sentry mode and how does it work?

Sentry mode is a security feature that turns a Tesla car into a home security system when left unattended, using all the cameras around the car to record and alert the owner if anyone interacts with the vehicle.

What is the purpose of the external speaker on a Tesla car?

The external speaker was a government requirement due to the quiet nature of the cars, to make noise so pedestrians are aware of their approach. Tesla also uses it for fun features like making animal noises or playing sounds.

What is 'Romance mode' on a Tesla and what does it do?

'Romance mode' is an Easter egg feature on Tesla cars that provides a fire visualization with crackles, warm air through the vents, and plays romantic music, creating a cozy atmosphere.

What is the significance of Tesla's 'anti-handbook' for new employees?

The 'anti-handbook' is a unique document given to new Tesla employees that encourages them to ignore nonsensical rules, take unlimited paid holidays as long as work is done, and communicate openly with anyone, including the CEO.

Why did Tesla overtake Toyota in stock value despite selling fewer cars?

Tesla overtook Toyota due to the growing sentiment that electric cars are the future and that Tesla is leading this transition, resulting in a high stock price despite lower revenue and car sales.

How did Tesla's financial situation change in 2020?

In 2020, Tesla made its first full-year profit of $720 million, largely due to receiving $1.6 billion in regulatory credits for producing low-emission vehicles.

What was the near acquisition of Tesla by Google and why didn't it happen?

Google nearly bought Tesla for $1 billion when Tesla was struggling. However, Tesla's sudden improvement in performance led Elon Musk to decide against the sale.

What is Elon Musk's salary as the CEO of Tesla?

Elon Musk famously takes $0 as his salary as the CEO of Tesla.

What is the Tesla Bot and what is its purpose?

The Tesla Bot is a fully humanoid machine announced by the company, designed to perform dangerous, repetitive, or boring tasks, aiming to improve efficiency and safety.

What was the controversy between Tesla and the TV show Top Gear?

Top Gear aired an episode in 2008 that portrayed a Tesla car failing during testing. Elon Musk claimed the show was scripted to make the car fail, leading to a lawsuit for damaging Tesla's brand.

What is the significance of Tesla's safety rating and how does it compare to other car manufacturers?

Tesla's Model S scored so high on safety tests that it was unofficially rated 5.4 out of five, indicating a 7% chance of injury to the driver in an accident, which is significantly lower than the standard five-star rating benchmark.

How does Tesla's brand value per car sold compare to other major car manufacturers?

Tesla's brand value per car sold is $1.44 million, which is 70 times the amount of the closest competitor, showcasing its exceptional market value relative to sales volume.