That person who doesn't have consensus. Elon Musk. And perhaps that is a very good thing. If your number 1 priority is to change the world, and to really, really change the world, then best you deliver on your promises/forecasts/plans. Best you do that. Last evening the fellow reminded us of the original Masterplan from ten years ago - The Secret Tesla Motors Master Plan (just between you and me). As you could imagine, he does admit to flying by the seat of his pants, as all great inventors do.
The reminder is ahead of the next stage in the company and their next ten year plan, which he introduced - Master Plan, Part Deux. Again, in the introduction part he points to the milestones. It is interesting that he says, in talking about the plan to make an expensive car that "I thought our chances of success were so low that I didn't want to risk anyone's funds in the beginning but my own." This was the first bunch of plans:
Build sports car
Use that money to build an affordable car
Use that money to build an even more affordable car
While doing above, also provide zero emission electric power generation options
Don't tell anyone.
In unveiling the next leg, he says that the Tesla and SolarCity tie up must happen. He also said that they would build a bus and a truck -
"In addition to consumer vehicles, there are two other types of electric vehicles needed: heavy-duty trucks and high passenger-density urban transport. Both are in the early stages of development at Tesla and should be ready for unveiling next year.". He also spoke about ride sharing -
"In cities where demand exceeds the supply of customer-owned cars, Tesla will operate its own fleet, ensuring you can always hail a ride from us no matter where you are.". In short, like when he unveiled the first plan, the goals are ambitious, he keeps it very simple however:
Create stunning solar roofs with seamlessly integrated battery storage
Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments
Develop a self-driving capability that is 10X safer than manual via massive fleet learning
Enable your car to make money for you when you aren't using it
I still think that the biggest risk to Tesla is not running out of money, I suspect that people will always back Elon Musk. He eats elephants. He hurdles the Burj Khalifa. I am not going to bet against him. The share price and the valuation of Tesla may well be another talking point altogether, you are never going to time this one properly. The biggest risk to Tesla is without a doubt something happening to Elon Musk. I know that there are other people who work there and share his vision, unlike at Apple which is much older and more established, Tesla is still pretty much an entrepreneurial "feeling" business. I suspect that all the people who work there may tell me otherwise, they (and all humanity) are in the same boat. For the sake of all of us, the kids now and those born in half a century time, I hope Elon Musk is very right.