Elon Musk on Tesla’s rise: ‘I had to master manufacturing’

Musk: Tesla mastered manufacturing after outsourcing plans failed.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims he has more knowledge about manufacturing than anyone in history, crediting his expertise to necessity rather than design.

Speaking on the podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz, Musk recalled Tesla’s early struggles with production. The company initially planned to outsource most of its manufacturing, but a lack of reliable partners forced it to take operations in-house.

"The idea in the beginning of Tesla was that we’d outsource almost all manufacturing, but then it turned out there were no good companies," Musk explained.

This unexpected shift pushed Musk to deeply engage in large-scale production, shaping Tesla’s now-famous vertically integrated approach. "I became very good at manufacturing because I had to," he added.

ELON MUSK: "The idea in the beginning of Tesla was that we'd outsource almost all manufacturing but then it turned out there were no good companies.I became very good at manufacturing because I had to. At this point I know more about manufacturing than any human ever has." pic.twitter.com/eKxv7txpI1 DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) March 19, 2025

Under Musk's leadership, Tesla has pioneered innovative manufacturing techniques, including gigacasting and fully automated production lines. These advancements have helped Tesla scale rapidly and establish itself as a dominant force in the electric vehicle industry.

A wave of violent attacks on Tesla locations, including firebombings and gunfire, has raised concerns over political motives. The incidents coincide with Elon Musk’s growing ties to Donald Trump, prompting fears that Tesla has become a political target.

Despite ongoing challenges, Tesla’s commitment to efficiency and innovation continues to set it apart, with Musk’s hands-on approach remaining a driving force behind the company’s success.