---
title: "Tesla Is Now the Most Valuable U.S. Automaker, but It’s More Than Just a Car Company"
description: "The stock value of Tesla, founded in 2003, just surpassed that of an over 100-year-old company, making it the most valuable automaker in the U.S. "
date: "2017-04-04"
modified: "2017-04-04"
authors:
  - name: "Abby Norman"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/abby"
url: "https://futurism.com/tesla-is-now-the-most-valuable-u-s-automaker-but-its-more-than-just-a-car-company"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
  - "Tesla"
tags:
  - "electric vehicles"
  - "elon musk"
  - "tesla"
---

# Tesla Is Now the Most Valuable U.S. Automaker, but It’s More Than Just a Car Company

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/tesla-car-run.png>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/minsk-belarus-december-9-2016-tesla-534625567?src=rlX0vsreek4Vn7pAcBcmjA-2-18" target="\_blank"\>shutterstock\</a\>\</em\>*

## Tesla v. Ford

Tesla’s stock went up almost 6 percent this week — an all-time high for the automaker — after it reported strong sales for its Model S and Model X vehicles. Concurrently, competing automaker Ford — one of the consistently leading automakers in the world — saw shares dip to 3 percent at the end of a weak first quarter. As a result, Tesla’s market value is now at $48 billion compared to Ford’s $45 billion — making Tesla the most valuable U.S. automaker according to stock market standards.

Tesla overtaking Ford’s stock market value is a remarkable achievement, especially since Tesla was only founded in 2003. Ford, on the other hand, is a 114-year-old company. Another major U.S. automobile manufacturer, General Motors (GM), is also well over 100 years old and is valued at [around $50.8 billion](<http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/03/investing/tesla-ford-market-value-gm/>) — a benchmark Tesla could be fast-approaching.

It could be argued that Tesla’s strong numbers are largely being driven by the company’s potential. This year, Tesla is preparing for the launch of its $35,000 Model 3 electric vehicle (EV). Demand for the new model is strong--and with consistent reports ensuring the company’s timely delivery of the product.

## More Than An Automaker

It’s also worth noting that despite Tesla's unprecedented success in the automotive industry, the company is actually [a lot more than than](<https://futurism.com/a-company-just-announced-that-tesla-will-be-included-in-all-of-their-homes>) an car manufacturer. That being said, comparing Tesla to companies that only concern themselves with vehicles "apples to apples" might be a little misleading. The work they do at the "gigafactory" goes beyond designing cars — even electric ones.

As explained in their mission statement:

The gigafactory will also produce battery packs intended for use in stationary storage, helping to improve robustness of the electrical grid, reduce energy costs for businesses and residences, and provide a backup supply of power.

Following CEO [Elon Musk’s vision](<https://www.tesla.com/about>), the goal is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. To that end, all their efforts are focused on developing the company to further achieve — by leaps and bounds, it seems — a strong focus on energy innovation, technology, and design.