Elon Musk Admits, 'I Really Didn't Think Tesla Would Be Successful' But Says If Something Is Important, Try It — Despite 'Probable Failure'

Despite recent fluctuations in Tesla Inc.'s sales, the brand's impact on the automotive industry is undeniable as it ranks as one of the most popular car companies worldwide. 

But CEO Elon Musk wasn't always so confident Tesla would become the household name it is today. 

In a 2014 interview on "60 Minutes," Musk discussed his expectations around Tesla's success or lack thereof. 

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"I didn't really think Tesla would be successful. I thought we would most likely fail," Musk told interviewer Scott Pelley. 

The statement lays bare Musk's willingness to tackle projects that are, by his estimation, likely to fail if they hold enough significance.

Musk's approach challenges the common pursuit of assured success in business. 

"But I thought that we at least could address the false perception that people have that an electric car had to be ugly and slow and boring like a golf cart," Musk said. 

This statement underscores his intent to redefine existing norms and expectations of electric vehicles more than establish a profitable enterprise.

Pelley probed further, asking why Musk would invest in a venture he expected to fail. 

"If something's important enough you should try. Even if the probable outcome is failure," Musk said, revealing a deeper motivational layer behind his ventures and highlighting a commitment to transformative ideas over immediate gains.

Musk’s philosophy regarding failure extends beyond Tesla. In a 2019 press conference at Kennedy Space Center, following the successful test launch of the Crew Dragon on the Falcon 9 rocket, Musk expressed his initial skepticism about SpaceX’s success.

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“I always thought we would fail,” he said. He elaborated on his views, noting that he originally gave SpaceX only a 10% chance of reaching orbit. His expectations were echoed by many around him who doubted the venture and predicted financial losses.

Musk’s approach to entrepreneurship is built on a counterintuitive philosophy that anticipates failure as a norm rather than an exception. This mindset is rooted in his belief that accepting the likelihood of failure allows for the kind of innovative thinking necessary to succeed in high-stakes industries. 

Musk has said that this expectation sets the stage for pushing boundaries and achieving results that defy the odds, which is evident in SpaceX’s trajectory from precarious beginnings to groundbreaking achievements.

He has discussed the highs and lows of starting a business, detailing how initial excitement and optimism often give way to various challenges that can diminish happiness. Speaking at a 2020 energy conference in Norway, Musk described the startup journey as one that begins positively but can soon lead to difficulties and emotional struggles, as noted by CleanTechnica. 

However, he believes that perseverance through these trials can lead back to satisfaction and success. "Eventually, if you succeed — you will finally get back to happiness," he said.

As Musk looks to the future, he remains optimistic about Tesla’s prospects. The company recently announced plans to launch new affordable electric vehicles, demonstrating his ability to pivot and change course when necessary. This adaptability is a key trait that has allowed him to navigate the ups and downs of the tech world and maintain his position as one of the most influential figures in the industry.

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