Tesla is known for their mission to reduce carbon emissions through their sustainable product line of cars, home batteries, and solar panels. However, that hasn’t stopped Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, from introducing some odd products over the years.
Tesla does not pay for conventional advertising, therefore, it seems like a marketing ploy (or Musk’s humor), they have created some products to attract attention. All of these products do not align with Tesla’s mission to reduce emissions, but that doesn’t stop the company from having some fun. In fact, one product definitely adds emissions when in use.
As an April Fool’s joke in 2018, Elon Musk tweeted an image of himself with Tesquila bottles (Tesla + Tequila) nearby and a sign that read “bankwupt”.
As a joke, Musk was having himself some fun poking fun at critics. This occurred during Tesla’s rough patch as they ramped up their mass-produced and much more affordable electric vehicle (EV), the Model 3.
Unfortunately, this product never made it to the customer’s hands due to regulatory issues.
Also in 2018, Tesla produced and sold a $1,500 surfboard. The surfboard was available in black and red with the company’s logo on the front and back. The company teamed up with a small surfboard maker and produced only about 200 units before discontinuation.
Technically this product was produced and sold by The Boring Company–Elon Musk’s boring and underground transportation company.
Nevertheless, it still is an odd product from either company. Poised with some controversy due to safety, the “Not a Flamethrower” flamethrower is definitely one exciting product. For $600, customers can propel balls of fire over 15 feet in distance. Again, this product received some backlash due to safety concerns.
At another poke at critics, Tesla introduced short shorts in 2020. Making fun of shorts (short sellers of stocks), Tesla currently offers the product for a humorous $69.420. By now you may start to see some of Musk’s tongue-in-cheek humor. The shorts began selling right as Tesla’s stock launched from around $300 to $1,500 in just a year.
