Tesla, Inc. is an electric car maker.
Tesla , Inc. ( formerly named Tesla Motors ) is a major American automaker , energy storage company , and solar panel manufacturer based in Palo Alto , California . The company specializes in electric cars , Lithium-ion battery energy storage , and , through their SolarCity subsidiary , residential solar panels . Tesla first gained widespread attention following its production of the Tesla Roadster , the first electric sports car , in 2008 . The Tesla Model X is a full-sized , all-electric , luxury , crossover SUV made by Tesla Inc. that uses falcon wing doors for access to the second and third row seats . The Tesla Roadster is a battery electric vehicle ( BEV ) sports car that was produced by the electric car firm Tesla Motors ( now Tesla Inc. ) in California from 2008 to 2012 .