États-Unis
Tesla
Tesla is an American automaker founded in July 2003 as Tesla Motors by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, in California. The name pays tribute to inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. In February 2004, Elon Musk led the first round of financing and became chairman of the board; a 2009 court settlement recognizes five co-founders (Eberhard, Tarpenning, Ian Wright, JB Straubel, and Musk). Musk became chief executive officer in 2008. The original mission was to build high-performance electric cars based on lithium-ion cells. The first vehicle, the Roadster (2008), was the first series-production, street-legal electric car to exceed 320 km of range; roughly 2,450 units were sold. Tesla then expanded its lineup with the Model S luxury sedan (2012), the Model X SUV (2015), the compact Model 3 (2017), and the Model Y crossover (2020), the latter becoming the best-selling electric vehicle in the world. The Cybertruck pickup entered production in November 2023. Beyond automobiles, Tesla develops energy storage, solar panels, and projects in autonomous driving and robotics. The company relocated its headquarters from California to Austin, Texas, in 2021. In North America, Tesla operates the Fremont plant (California), Gigafactory Nevada (cells and powertrains), and Gigafactory Texas in Austin, which produces the Model Y and the Cybertruck. The automaker also relies on a vast network of Supercharger charging stations deployed across Canada and the United States, which has become a central asset of its ecosystem and has gradually been opened to other brands.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitairePopulairesAméricaines
History
History of Tesla
Tesla is an American automaker founded in July 2003 as Tesla Motors by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, in California. The name pays tribute to inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. In February 2004, Elon Musk led the first round of financing and became chairman of the board; a 2009 court settlement recognizes five co-founders (Eberhard, Tarpenning, Ian Wright, JB Straubel, and Musk). Musk became chief executive officer in 2008. The original mission was to build high-performance electric cars based on lithium-ion cells. The first vehicle, the Roadster (2008), was the first series-production, street-legal electric car to exceed 320 km of range; roughly 2,450 units were sold. Tesla then expanded its lineup with the Model S luxury sedan (2012), the Model X SUV (2015), the compact Model 3 (2017), and the Model Y crossover (2020), the latter becoming the best-selling electric vehicle in the world. The Cybertruck pickup entered production in November 2023. Beyond automobiles, Tesla develops energy storage, solar panels, and projects in autonomous driving and robotics. The company relocated its headquarters from California to Austin, Texas, in 2021. In North America, Tesla operates the Fremont plant (California), Gigafactory Nevada (cells and powertrains), and Gigafactory Texas in Austin, which produces the Model Y and the Cybertruck. The automaker also relies on a vast network of Supercharger charging stations deployed across Canada and the United States, which has become a central asset of its ecosystem and has gradually been opened to other brands.
Public founding or origin of Tesla.
Cybertruck: launch or first listed period.
Model 3: launch or first listed period.
Model S: launch or first listed period.
Model X: launch or first listed period.
Model Y: launch or first listed period.
Roadster: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Tesla designs exclusively 100% battery-electric vehicles, with no combustion or hybrid powertrain. Its powertrains combine one or more electric motors (rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive with two or three motors on the Performance and Plaid versions) with lithium-ion batteries, including the in-house 4680 cells aimed at greater energy density and reduced costs. The vehicles are built on dedicated platforms with the battery integrated into the floor, lowering the center of gravity. Tesla stands out for its over-the-air (OTA) software updates, which add features after purchase, and for its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistance, which remain assistance systems requiring driver supervision and are subject to regulatory scrutiny (NHTSA). Safety, regenerative braking, an interface centered on a large touchscreen, and the Supercharger network round out the offering.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A global pioneer of the high-end, 100% electric vehicle, combining performance, range, and an integrated technology ecosystem.
Reputation
Tesla's reputation is mixed. Its performance, range, charging network, and software experience are praised, but reliability was long criticized: Consumer Reports ranked used Teslas (2016-2021 model years) among the least reliable, particularly for build quality, panel gaps, and components outside the powertrain. Recent models, however, have improved markedly; the brand climbed back into the top 10 of the 2026 Consumer Reports rankings, with the Model Y and Model 3 posting strong results. Resale value remains volatile, affected by aggressive price cuts on new vehicles. Perception also varies depending on the public image of the chief executive.
Strengths
Tesla offers 100% electric vehicles with lively performance, competitive range, and recognized energy efficiency. Its Supercharger network, reliable and extensive across Canada, simplifies long trips. The software ecosystem, over-the-air updates, and vertical integration (batteries, motors, charging) constitute lasting advantages, supported by strong brand awareness.
Points to watch
Build quality and the reliability of secondary components have been recurring weak points, despite recent progress. Resale value fluctuates because of frequent price cuts. After-sales service and parts availability can be slow in certain regions. The Autopilot and FSD features are the subject of debate and regulatory scrutiny; the traditional dealership network is absent.
Models
Tesla models
Current or active models by market
Cybertruck 2023 - actif selon marchés pick-up EV Model 3 2017 - actif berline EV Model Y 2020 - actif VUS compact EV
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
In North America, Tesla produces at three major sites. The Fremont plant in California remains the historic birthplace of its assembly operations (Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y). Gigafactory Nevada, near Sparks, manufactures cells, batteries, and powertrains in partnership with Panasonic. Gigafactory Texas, in Austin, spans some 2,500 acres and more than 10 million square feet; it assembles the Model Y and serves as the production site for the Cybertruck. These facilities are complemented by plants in Shanghai and Berlin internationally. This North American footprint supports the eligibility of several models for local incentives and shortens supply chains.
Tires and wheels
Teslas generally use large-diameter wheels: 18, 19, or 20 inches for the Model 3 and Model Y, up to 21 inches on certain Performance versions, and even larger formats on the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. The common bolt pattern for the Model 3 and Model Y is 5x114.3 mm. In Quebec, where winter tires are mandatory, many owners opt for a second set of smaller-diameter winter wheels to reduce tire costs, protect the wheels from road calcium, and preserve range in cold weather. Always verify the exact size, load index, and bolt pattern according to the model and year before purchasing.