This move aims to secure his leadership for the long term but places an unprecedented gamble on future growth in AI and autonomy, setting up a high-stakes vote for shareholders this fall. (Image: Reuters)
In a move that shakes up corporate America, Tesla Inc. has proposed a new compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that could be worth a staggering $1 trillion. This long-awaited plan is designed with one clear goal: to secure the visionary leader's focus for the next decade and tie his rewards to almost unimaginable growth.
The new agreement is a series of ambitious performance milestones. Musk has ten years to guide Tesla to meet certain, enormous targets in order to release the whole reward. It's not just a pay raise; it's a risky wager on Musk and Tesla's capacity to transform the tech and automotive sectors.
This new proposal comes directly after a major legal setback. Citing an unfair process, a Delaware court invalidated Musk's prior 2018 compensation plan, which was worth over $50 billion. While Tesla appeals that decision, the board is moving forward with a new, even larger package to reward its CEO.
In light of Musk's other business endeavors, such as SpaceX and xAI, the board feels that this is crucial to maintaining his commitment to Tesla.
Perhaps the highest standards ever imposed for a CEO of a publicly traded corporation. Among them are:
The plan underscores a shift from just producing electric vehicles to becoming a dominant force in artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable energy.
If Musk hits all the targets, the massive stock award would increase his ownership stake in Tesla to at least 25%. This directly addresses Musk's public desire for a larger share of the company he leads. This would grant him even more control over the company's future direction.
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The package highlights Musk's indispensable and powerful role within Tesla. He has declared his intention to manage Tesla for the next five years, even though he is now in charge of four other businesses. This deal is the board's mechanism to ensure that commitment extends for a full decade, incentivizing him to push the company to unprecedented heights.
The proxy filing also includes a separate, non-binding proposal for Tesla to take a stake in Musk's artificial intelligence startup, xAI. This supports Musk's goal of using Tesla's assets and data to develop AI, but it also calls into question how his private business and public firm are intertwined. At the annual meeting on November 6, shareholders will vote on all proposals, including the compensation package.
