Tesla CEO Elon Musk may be on the verge of receiving the largest compensation in corporate history — a staggering $1 trillion salary package — contingent upon his success in achieving a series of ambitious, transformative goals. Newly disclosed documents indicate that this remarkable plan directly ties Musk’s personal wealth to Tesla’s evolution from an electric vehicle manufacturer into a global technology leader in robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous mobility. The pay package comprises 12 tranches of Tesla shares, each associated with demanding performance milestones. Musk will only gain access to these rewards if Tesla meets targets that resemble science fiction more than conventional business objectives.
Initial benchmarks include raising Tesla’s market valuation to $2 trillion, delivering 20 million vehicles annually (up from under 2 million in 2024), deploying 1 million fully autonomous robotaxis, and introducing 1 million humanoid AI-powered robots to the market. This ambitious vision extends Tesla’s reach beyond automotive manufacturing, influencing how people travel and how machines may eventually replace human labor. A significant stipulation is that Musk will not receive any compensation unless he remains committed to the company. The agreement mandates his leadership at Tesla for a minimum of 7.5 years to unlock any shares and a full 10 years to access the total payout.
Notably, the final two tranches are also contingent on Musk establishing a succession plan, which is likely intended to reassure investors concerned about the future of Tesla without Musk. This isn’t the first time Musk’s compensation has stirred controversy. In June 2024, shareholders reinstated his previous $44.9 billion pay package, which had been invalidated by a Delaware judge. If approved, this new trillion-dollar arrangement would surpass that record and set a new benchmark in corporate compensation history. The announcement comes during a challenging time as Tesla’s latest earnings report showed quarterly profits falling from $1.39 billion to $409 million, with revenues also declining and failing to meet Wall Street expectations.
Furthermore, Musk’s increasing involvement in Washington, particularly during Donald Trump’s administration, raises questions about his dedication to Tesla. Despite these uncertainties, Tesla is continuing its global expansion efforts. In India, the company has opened its second showroom, the Tesla Experience Centre at Worldmark 3 in Delhi’s Aerocity, following the launch of its first showroom in July, marking Tesla’s serious entry into one of the fastest-growing electric vehicle markets worldwide. The key question remains: will Musk’s trillion-dollar vision transform Tesla into the most revolutionary company of the century or prove to be a risky gamble? One thing is clear: Tesla is banking on self-driving cars, robots that assist humans, and Musk’s ongoing leadership to shape its future.