The board of directors at Tesla, the renowned American electric carmaker, announced a groundbreaking pay package on Friday that could potentially make Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire. This ambitious incentive plan is contingent upon Musk meeting a series of aggressive growth targets over the next decade. According to a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Musk may earn up to 12% of Tesla's total stocks through 12 separate packages.
As of now, Elon Musk holds the title of the world's wealthiest individual, with a staggering net worth of approximately $437.8 billion, as reported by Forbes' real-time Billionaire tracker. He surpasses notable figures such as Oracle's Larry Ellison, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon's Jeff Bezos. Currently, Musk owns 13% of Tesla, with an additional 6.7% embroiled in legal disputes. Should the new pay plan receive approval, Musk's stake in the company could rise to at least 25%, provided he remains with Tesla for another seven years.
This proposal reflects Musk's increasing influence within the automaker, a position he has consistently sought to strengthen. This comes despite an ongoing legal battle surrounding his previous pay package, valued at $56 billion. Musk's commitments extend beyond Tesla; he is also the CEO and founder of SpaceX and the owner of the X social media platform. Additionally, he previously served as an advisor to former US President Donald Trump but stepped down from that role in May.
The newly approved pay structure, dubbed "A Super Ambitious Incentive Package for a Pioneering, Ambitious and Unique CEO," is now set to be presented for shareholder approval in November. Analysts suggest that this package is designed to discourage Musk from departing Tesla and to motivate him to transform the company into a leader in AI and robotics. The plan immediately grants Musk 96 million shares of restricted stock, valued at over $31 billion, which he cannot sell for five years.
The filing indicates that Musk has previously hinted at the possibility of leaving Tesla, which has raised concerns among board members about the potential loss of talent in the AI sector if he departs. The board believes that retaining Musk is crucial for maintaining Tesla's innovative edge.
To unlock the full benefits of this pay package, Musk must elevate Tesla's market capitalization to at least $8.5 trillion by 2035, a significant increase from its current valuation of just over $1 trillion. Additionally, the package outlines specific targets related to share price, operating profits, and production levels.
Investment analyst Dan Coatsworth from AJ Bell expressed concerns that this plan could set a troubling precedent in corporate governance, questioning whether Musk's compensation is justified. He noted the contrasting sentiments within Tesla's board, which oscillates between viewing Musk as a potential liability due to his controversial statements and political distractions, and simultaneously offering him an open-ended financial package.
Taufiq Rahim, an investor in SpaceX and principal at 2040 Advisory, anticipates that shareholders will likely approve the plan in November. However, he also highlighted broader social concerns regarding the significant wealth accumulation by a small group of capital holders, suggesting that it might not be sustainable in the long run and could face public backlash.”
As the discussion around this ambitious pay package unfolds, it is clear that Elon Musk's journey continues to captivate both investors and the public alike.
