Industryweek 4383 Teslalogo
Industryweek 4383 Teslalogo
Industryweek 4383 Teslalogo
Industryweek 4383 Teslalogo
Industryweek 4383 Teslalogo

Tesla Founder to Invest $100 Million in Surging Electric Car Company

May 15, 2013
The California maker of high-priced electric vehicles said it would launch a new stock offering of some 2.7 million shares along with $450 million in convertible notes to raise fresh capital.

NEW YORK - Tesla Motors said Wednesday that founder Elon Musk would invest $100 million in the surging electric car maker, and that it would repay a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy ahead of schedule.

The California maker of high-priced electric vehicles said it would launch a new stock offering of some 2.7 million shares along with $450 million in convertible notes to raise fresh capital.

Musk, Tesla's chief executive and cofounder, will purchase $45 million in common shares and another $55 million in a private share placement, the company said.

Tesla said it expects to raise some $830 million and use the proceeds to prepay a loan from the US Department of Energy.

The moves came amid a stunning surge in the value of Tesla, which has just a tiny share of the U.S. car market but turned a profit for the first time in the past quarter.

Tesla shares jumped another 1.9% Wednesday to $84.84, giving it a market value of $9.7 billion. With the recent gains, Tesla has become more valuable than Fiat -- even though the Italian auto giant produces 200 times more cars than the American upstart does.

The shares have more than doubled this year after struggling through 2012 on production delays and questions about whether it could turn a profit.

On May 8, the California-based firm announced $11 million in net income for the first quarter as revenues rose 83% from the prior quarter to $562 million.

Tesla cited strong global demand for its $62,000 to $87,000 Model S, saying it is receiving orders at a rate of more than 20,000 per year worldwide, adding that it has seen "significant upside potential in Europe and Asia."

Although Tesla has been on the upswing, the road has grown bumpier for the electric car market.

Not Rosy for All Electric Car Startups

Coda Automotive, one of what had been a promising crop of electric car startups, filed for bankruptcy protection this month and said it would reorganize around the electric storage market.

High-end electric car maker Fisker Automotive, which has had financial woes for months, announced meanwhile it was laying off 75% of its workforce, raising the prospect of defaulting on U.S. government loans.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2013

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Electric Vehicles Spark New Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

Dec. 4, 2023
Automakers have increased plans to produce Electric Vehicles to meet customer demand for low emissions. With this radical shift, new opportunities and challenges for the auto ...

7 Benefits of Adopting Smart Manufacturing

July 2, 2023
Make smart manufacturing a reality.

7 Benefits of Adopting Smart Manufacturing

July 2, 2023
Make smart manufacturing a reality.

Why Succession Planning is Important

March 18, 2024
Discover why succession planning is crucial for business continuity and peace of mind. Learn about key methods for transferring ownership and how Aegis Trust Company can guide...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!