#NAIAS: Is Elon Musk Destined To Be The Steve Jobs Of the Auto Industry?

The personality cult of Elon Musk views him as a righteous disruptor of a staid auto industry.

For many industry executives, he's a thorn in their side and an unrealistic dreamer, if not someone to be admired for his audacious vision.

The two portraits make the founder of Silicon Valley's Tesla Motors perhaps the most polarizing person in Detroit this week.

Two years since his last trip to the Motor City, Musk will speak this afternoon to the Automotive News World Congress at the Renaissance Center. Tesla Motors has enjoyed a remarkable run since his last visit, prompting one prominent stock analyst to call Tesla "the world's most important car company."

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gkearns56 - 1/13/2015 10:48:52 AM

+2 Boost

This fellow is an automotive guru in the industry. BTW Spy Agents: What's the deal with NO pictures on the new Toyota Tacoma. Wasn't yesterday the big day Toyota was suppose to "reveal" their new Tacoma?? You folks haven't given any photos inside or out on it. Come On - I thought you were suppose to be the "Spies".

TheSteve - 1/13/2015 11:18:12 AM

+3 Boost

I speculate not. Let's review this in a decade and see if Tesla is still around. If they're still a force to be reckoned with nearly three decades after starting up (like Jobs and Apple), then we'll have something to talk about.

But in the mean time, Tesla seems to be going all guns a blazin'!

mre30 - 1/13/2015 2:06:54 PM

+2 Boost

Elon Musk is clearly a bright guy - but all he did was (a) take advantage of some GIGANTINORMUS tax breaks and a basically FREE factory; (b) apply some clearly obsessive and precise design and engineering logic to batteries and propulsion systems for an all-electric car; (c) buy the components from some suppliers; and (d) assemble and direct-market a very handsome electric car with a long range and excellent handling/power.

This would have turned out completely differently if the 2008 financial crisis and GM bankruptcy didn't happen and he had to pay "retail" for all the stuff he got for free.

He's not Steve Jobs, he's just a smarter than average guy (who also cleverly invented "PayPal") who got lucky and had good timing. That's it. He didn't invent the car - just took advantage of some opportunity and made a good one.

Terry989 - 1/13/2015 2:33:59 PM

+2 Boost

Let's not forget that he is also a "Rocketeer" having started SpaceX. He now has multiple launch systems and platforms with numerous contracts for satellite launches, space station servicing all while continuing to advance private space flight.

A brilliant visionary - - - absolutely. Steve Jobs of the Auto Industry? As TheSteve notes, we will have to see.

TomM - 1/14/2015 8:21:47 AM

+1 Boost

Certainly not - maybe in the Electric Car industry - but certainly not in the car industry in general - and the Electric car is still a Niche product. It is one thing to create a VERY EXPENSIVE vehicle - and another to create one for the masses.

THe question will be - can he produce a car for those people who do not return to the dealer for service (The majority of car buyers)- by making the service information and parts available for all - without the need to return to the dealer to reset the computer. (Collision repairs or general repairs). If he insists on creating a monopoly on parts and service - used car dealers will not want a car that they cannot fix - which will reduce the trade in values - and Used car purchasers will not want a car that they cannot fix/and/or take it to a local repair man. That will also cut the resale value of the cars. AND in that case - the Tesla will remain a rich person's car - which is what it is right now.

Both GM and Nissan will likely have much lower priced cars with longer range available - BUT - until there is an easy 5 minute way to recharge the batteries - those of us who need a long range vehicle simply have no use for a car that will become an expensive paper weight on the second day of a two week set of trips where we do not return home.