DRIVING CHANGE
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
– Rob Siltanen
Change, as the saying goes, remains the only constant. And in few industries will the coming change have the same fundamental all-encompassing effect, as on the motor industry. This change will likely also have a profound impact on the peripheral industries that feed into the motor industry juggernaut.
As Elon Musk launched the much anticipated Tesla Semi Truck last month, he surprised the world by simultaneously also revealing the next-generation Tesla Roadster to the unsuspecting crowd.
Besides the mind-bending claimed performance figures of the Roadster, and the astonishing new technology shown in both milestone vehicles, the real story here is how Musk’s penchant for theatrical reveals has become a metaphor for change in the industry as a whole.
In a move reminiscent of the late Steve Jobs when he unveiled the first generation iPhone in 2008, Musk’s “one last thing” moment proved at what pace change will come in the future.
This is not the first time that Elon Musk has taken the industry– and the world– by surprise, yet it seems that the industry is bound to perpetually underestimate the pace at which Tesla is moving right now.
Of course, Tesla is not without its problems, and Elon Musk’s rate of innovation obviously currently outstrips the company’s ability to deliver on his big dreams, but disruptors such as Musk have faced more significant challenges in the past, and most have overcome them. As will he.
As we say goodbye to 2017, remember where you were on the night when Musk changed the world. We certainly can’t wait to see what he has planned for 2018 and beyond.
Drive on!