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Case Code: CLBS150
Case Length: 7 Pages 
Period: 2014-2015  
Pub Date: 2017
Teaching Note: Available
Subject :Business Strategy
Price:Rs.100
Organization :--
Industry :Automobile Industry
Countries : India

Innovation at Tesla Motors

 

ABSTRACT

Tesla disrupted the global automotive industry through its innovations, one of the core values of the company. It surpassed the competitors in the EV segment through the incorporation of standardized production practices followed by world class technology. Its innovative strategy in design, development process, and marketing made it a leader with a difference in the automotive industry. Among the unique product features, its product innovation strategy focussed on the power system while its product development process centered on maximization of speed. Critics pointed out that the high cost and limited range of EVs seemed to be the major challenges for Tesla in a diversified competitive market. Besides, cost of battery and limited Superchargers were expected to pose problems for Tesla in expanding its business.
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Issues:

  • Understand Tesla’s mission of delivering sustainable transport solutions through innovative technology.
  • Understand the innovative strategies undertaken by the company to excel in automotive industry.
  • Analyze the competitive advantage of Tesla in manufacturing EVs.
  • Analyze the challenges faced by the company during the initial period of business and the solutions made so far.
Introduction
Tesla Motors (Tesla), an American automotive company, was ranked #1 on Forbes’ fifth annual list of the world’s most innovative companies 2015 ahead of Salesforce.com.Inc. for the first time in five years. Tesla, whose prime focus was on energy innovation, was a technology and design company which had forayed into the automotive manufacturing business. It took on the traditional automotive industry with its innovations, competing to develop the best world class technology in electrical vehicles (EVs). It disrupted the global automotive industry as a distinct player by focussing on innovation, Research & Development (R&D), and the customer. Its innovations in design, the development process, product differentiation, and marketing strategy revolutionized the global automotive industry..

Keywords

Tesla Motors,Innovation,Global automotive industry,Product differentiation,Tesla EV models,Product development, Electrical Vehicles,Product distribution



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