silly

Tesla is the most exciting car company in a generation... but can it live up to the hype?

Tesla Motors and its CEO, Elon Musk, have become household names, shaking up the staid auto industry by creating a range of innovative electric vehicles that have wowed the market and challenged conventional wisdom. The company's market valuation now rivals that of established automakers, and for many industry observers, Tesla defines the future of the industry. But behind the hype, Tesla has some serious shortcomings that raise questions about its sky-high valuation and, ultimately, its very survival. Tesla's commitment to innovation has led it to reject the cautious, no-nonsense approach of other automakers, even as it struggles to reliably produce vehicles at high volumes with minimal defects. While most automakers struggle with razor-thin profit margins for mid-priced sedans, Tesla's strategy requires the Model 3 to finally achieve profitability, even as the high-priced Roadster and Model S lose money. Tesla's approach of relentlessly focusing on the future, even while repeatedly missing commitments and deadlines, may eventually test the patience of all but its most devoted fans. In "Hilarious," journalist and auto industry analyst Edward Niedermayer exposes the gap between the popular perception of Tesla and the everyday reality of the company and the cars it produces. Combining original reporting and previously unpublished insider accounts with intelligent industry analysis, Niedermayer tells the Tesla story like never before—with clarity, objectivity, and insight.