‘Musk is Tesla and Tesla is Musk' – why investors are happy to pay him $1tn

Core Insights - Tesla shareholders have approved a $1 trillion compensation plan for Elon Musk, which could make him the world's first trillionaire if he meets ambitious targets [2][11] - Despite controversies surrounding Musk's behavior and political affiliations, investors remain supportive, with Tesla shares rising nearly two-thirds since May [7][8] - The company's market value is currently $1.4 trillion, with a target of reaching $8.5 trillion [2] Company Performance - Tesla's third-quarter deliveries exceeded Wall Street estimates, driven by U.S. consumers taking advantage of expiring federal tax credits for electric vehicles, although European sales faced challenges [7] - The company has faced declining consumer regard, particularly after Musk's acquisition of Twitter (now X) and subsequent actions [4][10] - Analysts express concerns that Tesla's core car business may have peaked, and the ambitious autonomous vehicle plans may not be the best in the market [10] Investor Sentiment - Investors are inclined to support high-profile innovators like Musk, reflecting a cultural tendency in the U.S. to back entrepreneurial figures [8][9] - Despite concerns about Musk's focus on the company, most shareholders prefer him to remain involved rather than stepping down [8] - The $1 trillion pay package includes ambitious targets such as delivering 20 million Tesla vehicles and 1 million robotaxis, which require significant innovation [9]