Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. They were joined by Elon Musk in 2004, who became the company's chairman and provided significant funding. While Eberhard and Tarpenning were the initial owners, Musk's involvement and financial contributions played a crucial role in Tesla's early development.
In 2008, Elon Musk became CEO of Tesla, and the company's focus shifted towards mass-market electric vehicles.
Here's a timeline of key events:
- 2003: Tesla Motors was founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning.
- 2004: Elon Musk joined Tesla as chairman and invested heavily in the company.
- 2008: Elon Musk became CEO of Tesla.
Therefore, Tesla was owned by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning before Elon Musk joined the company. However, Elon Musk's involvement and contributions were instrumental in Tesla's success.
