Musk: I Won't Be Tesla's CEO Forever

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Everybody wants to rule the world one way or another, but forever? Not if you’re Elon Musk.

Per HybridCars, the CEO of Tesla stated in an interview with Auto Bild that while he would never leave the company, he would step down as its leader within the next three to four years, through the production of the Model 3.

As for Tesla itself, Musk said the automaker did fail three times, and burned through its cash to nil, thanks to the fallacies of using the Lotus Elise as an inexpensive foundation to launching a vehicle, and depending upon the powertrain by AC Propulsion to move it. He also proclaimed that he should have been the company’s CEO from the outset, marking the delay as one of his greatest regrets.

As for where he sees himself in the future, Musk says he’d like to go to Mars for a while, return to Earth, then return to Mars in his mid-70s to die under the blue sunset.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • VoGhost Just reminding us all that we have to tolerate dealers (many of whom are billionaires) in the US if we want new legacy ICE vehicles because the dealers pay for the campaigns of local politicians, with our money.
  • 1995 SC I'm still trying to get past the fact that the Red Bull guy is married to a Spice Girl.
  • Ravenuer Not into F1. Started watching NASCAR back when they raced actual cars. (yeah I'm that old). Not any more. They aren't "stock cars" now. Not even close. Even drag races don't interest me anymore. Races are over in 3 seconds.
  • Wjtinfwb No confusion on my end, Ghost. The Government has zero role in job creation outside of the legitimate opportunities' created by Government going about it's responsibilities, namely keeping the American people and territory safe from foreign intrusion. Of course, they're failing epically at that but that's a different topic. The American free enterprise system is what enables job creation. Government's role is to stay out of the way of that system, but they seem incapable of doing so. Oil & Gas exploration is just one example. If a National Job Policy is what you're looking for, there are other countries that will be happy to accept your application for residency.
  • Michael Smith I drive 100-300 miles a day in new BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and GM SUVs. Some are already equipped with automatic braking.It's the first thing I turn off when I start the car.I've had experiences where (as the author notes) the system gave false alarms and stabbed the brake pedal, threatening my ability to control the car.Further, every driver encounters situations where, for example, legal following distance must be momentarily compromised in order to avoid a difficult situation. When the system intervenes, it disrupts the driver's plan of action. This can lead to a collision as the driver has to suddenly react not to his surroundings, but to the system.Not only is automatic braking an insult to skilled drivers, it's dangerous to everyone.
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