Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
In 2016, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stood on a stage in Los Angeles to introduce the company’s new car to the world: the Model 3. There was just one problem. The car didn’t exist yet.
In episode one of Land of the Giants: The Tesla Shock Wave, we’re diving into the tumultuous production of the Model 3, Tesla’s first electric car for the masses. Tesla became a giant in the auto industry based off the success of the Model 3, an affordable EV that seamlessly blended cool tech with an affordable price. But the car very nearly drove Tesla out of business — and, along with it, the company’s capricious, bombastic leader, Elon Musk.
Remember that in 2016, Tesla had only ever made three cars: the niche Roadster, and the premium-priced Model S and…