Tesla: The Rise to Become the World's Second Most Valuable Car Company in 2017

I remember the week it happened in 2017. News alerts pinging like popcorn. Editors calling. Friends texting: “Wait, how did Tesla just leapfrog the old guard?” It felt like the industry collectively spilled its coffee. And honestly, I wasn’t sure at first. Then I thought back to all the seat time, the Supercharger stops, the owners I’d chatted with. The signs were there—the company was pushing not just cars, but a new way of thinking about them.

Tesla’s Bold Vision, Lived Daily

Tesla didn’t just sell EVs; it sold a promise—fast, desirable electric cars backed by infrastructure. When I first hustled a Model S down a stretch of broken tarmac, what hit me wasn’t just the instant torque; it was the silence. Like driving in slippers. Quiet enough to hear your kids arguing in the back about whose turn it is to control the playlist.

The Road to Recognition: How Tesla Got There

The journey to Tesla becoming the world’s second most valuable car company in 2017 wasn’t an overnight meme. It was a chain of deliberate, occasionally messy milestones.

1) Roadster Lights the Fuse (2008)

The first production Tesla, the Roadster, said the quiet part out loud: electric can be quick and fun. It wasn’t perfect—range anxiety in that era was real—but it re-wired expectations. A few early owners told me they started planning weekend routes around their favorite coffee shops and outlets. EV life, beta version.

2) Model S Redefines the Luxury Sedan (2012)

The Model S is where Tesla stopped being a curiosity and started scaring the establishment. Range that didn’t require a calculator. Performance that shamed sport sedans. On a Denver-to-Boulder run, I noticed right away how the low center of gravity made it feel planted, even in gusty crosswinds. Critics (me included) praised it; buyers lined up.

3) Supercharger Network Goes from Idea to Lifeline (2013)

Infrastructure wins hearts. By mid-decade, Tesla’s fast-charging web spanned key corridors across North America, Europe, and China. Long weekends became realistic. My first LA-to-Vegas Supercharger run felt oddly liberating—charge, espresso, stretch, go. Not flawless (busy stations did happen), but the brand had solved the EV road trip before most rivals even launched their first long-range car.

4) Model X Shows Off (2015)

The Model X arrived with falcon-wing doors that still steal the valet line. It tows, it hauls, and in performance trims it moves like a big cat. I’ll admit, those doors can be fussy in tight garages, and early build quality was hit-and-miss, but I also watched kids scramble in with huge grins. Family theater, with torque.

5) Model 3 Goes Mainstream (2017)

The Model 3 is the one that broke the Internet—and the factory’s patience. I saw reservation lines outside showrooms that looked like iPhone launches. Production was bumpy (the infamous “production hell” wasn’t just a tweet), but once cars flowed, the recipe clicked: approachable price, crisp dynamics, strong range. Suddenly, the premium compact segment had an EV with swagger.

Tesla and the Stock Market: The 2017 Spike

Products mattered, but Wall Street’s love affair sealed the headline. As deliveries grew and gross margins improved, investor confidence followed. In stretches of 2017, Tesla’s market cap vaulted past Detroit giants, leaving it trailing only Toyota among carmakers.

Market Cap Snapshot (approx., 2017 peaks)

Figures are rounded and vary by date; they illustrate relative positioning during 2017’s headline-grabbing weeks.

The Ripple Effect: Industry Wakes Up

Tesla forced every boardroom to ask awkward questions. VW spun up MEB. Porsche fast-tracked Mission E (the Taycan you know now). GM doubled down on electrification strategies. The result? More EV choice for customers and a charging landscape that started looking less like the Wild West.

What Tesla nailed—and where it stumbled

• Pros: Class-leading acceleration, usable range, OTA updates, the Supercharger advantage.
• Cons: Early panel gaps, long service lead times in some regions, Autopilot messaging confusion, and a learning curve with the minimalist interface.

When I tried an early Model 3 on rough roads, the ride felt a touch firm. Sporty, sure, but you notice it on cracked city streets. Still, the steering’s precision and that instant shove made up for it on a good back road.

The Road Ahead (and What Owners Actually Live With)

By the time Tesla hit that 2017 valuation milestone, the blueprint was clear: compelling EVs, software-led improvements, and a charging network that felt like part of the product. Owners I met raved about waking up to “a better car” after an update. Less thrilled about door handle hiccups in winter, but hey, show me a brand without quirks.

At AutoWin, we’ve watched Tesla reshape expectations in real time. We’re floor mat people—happy to admit it—and we’ve learned that a tidy, tailored interior turns every commute into something a bit more special. If you own a Tesla (or anything with four wheels), start with the basics: protect the cabin, keep it clean, and enjoy every silent launch.

Conclusion: Why 2017 Mattered for Tesla

In 2017, Tesla didn’t just nudge the leaderboard; it rewrote the script. From Roadster audacity to Model S credibility, Supercharger real-world usability, Model X theater, and Model 3 scale, the brand earned a valuation that reflected more than cars—it reflected momentum. Not flawless. Not effortless. But transformative. And that’s why it became the world’s second most valuable car company that year.

FAQs

• What pushed Tesla to the No. 2 spot in 2017?
  Model 3 demand, improving margins, a proven charging network, and investor confidence in Tesla’s software-and-energy strategy.
• Did the Supercharger network really make a difference?
  Huge. It turned EV road trips from “adventure” to “normal,” which boosted buyer confidence more than any spec sheet.
• Was build quality an issue back then?
  Early on, yes—panel alignment, trim squeaks, and some delivery niggles. Improvements came quickly, but it’s part of the story.
• How did Tesla compare with Toyota, GM, and Ford?
  Tesla was smaller on volume but big on perceived tech upside. Toyota led on scale and profits; Detroit excelled in trucks and SUVs.
• What’s a simple upgrade for new Tesla owners?
  A durable set of tailored mats. Browse Tesla floor mats at the AutoWin e-shop to keep that minimalist cabin spotless.