Tesla(US:TSLA) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-24 00:50Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has threatened to resign if he does not receive a high salary, raising questions about his motivations despite his immense wealth [1][3]. Group 1: Musk's Salary Threat - Musk's ultimatum comes in response to a new compensation plan valued at one trillion dollars aimed at retaining him for at least another decade [3]. - The previous compensation plan from 2018 saw Musk meet all performance targets but he has yet to receive any payment [3][4]. - The new salary structure includes extremely challenging performance targets, such as increasing Tesla's market value nearly eightfold to approximately $8.5 trillion and achieving a profit of $400 billion by 2024 [4]. Group 2: Musk's Relationship with Money - The public is questioning why Musk, who has achieved financial freedom, is so focused on salary [7]. - Typically, founders in the tech industry, like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, take minimal salaries, relying instead on stock ownership for wealth accumulation [7][8]. - Musk's situation is unique as he holds only about 12% of Tesla's shares, which is significantly lower than traditional founders, limiting his control over the company [10][11]. Group 3: Control and Equity - Musk's push for a high compensation package is seen as a strategy to regain control over Tesla, as he uses stock options to increase his ownership stake [13][14]. - The ability to exercise stock options would enhance his influence within the company, allowing him to steer Tesla's strategic direction amidst competitive pressures [13][14]. - Ultimately, Musk's focus on salary may be less about money and more about securing control over Tesla to pursue his vision for the company and its role in sustainable energy [16].