Electric Vehicles

Elon Musk: Tesla almost went bankrupt during Model 3 ramp

Published by

The Driven

Tesla boss Elon Musk has divulged just how close Tesla came to falling into bankruptcy during the ramp up to volume production of its Model 3 electric sedan.

With a $US401 billion market cap, Tesla is currently the world’s most valuable auto maker – worth more than double the next in line, Toyota.

But it is a title that has been hard won. Musk has made no secret of the “production hell” and “logistics insanity” that the company went through as it negotiated a two-year rite of passage from electric vehicle start-up to leading global EV manufacturer.

In a tweet on Wednesday evening (US time), Musk detailed some more of what he says was a period of “extreme stress and pain”.

How close was Tesla from bankruptcy when bringing the Model 3 to mass production?” asked Twitter follower “Zain”.

Closest we got was about a month. The Model 3 ramp was extreme stress & pain for a long time — from mid 2017 to mid 2019. Production & logistics hell,” said Musk.

To read the full version of this story, please go to our EV-focussed sister site, The Driven and click here…

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.

Bridie Schmidt

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Ex Nationals leader asks LNP planning minister to “call in” already approved wind project in his own electorate

The former leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, says he has written to the LNP…

12 September 2026

Australia’s most powerful battery flexes muscles with second shock absorber test and biggest every charge

Australia's most powerful battery completes second of its shock absorber tests, and then flexes its…

12 September 2026

Expert committee to assist federal oversight of consumer energy resources, with minister having final say

Energy ministers meeting details how the federal government plans to set and enforce standards for…

12 September 2026

Doctored photos, unsafe installs: Regulators continue crackdown on solar and energy rebate breaches

One solar company fined $100,000 for failing to have fall protection in place, another made…

11 September 2026

Large 900 MW battery and data centre planned at former nuclear power plant site

Huge battery and data centre proposed for nuclear power plant site in Germany, as renewables…

11 September 2026

Setting the standards: Why consumer energy resources deserve a better policy approach than “Ready, Fire, Aim”

Shortfalls in governance of consumer energy resources will be obvious - and potentially costly and…

11 September 2026