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Tesla, Inc.

Electric vehicles and clean energyFounded 2003
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Acquisitions

Tesla Acquisitions

6

Major Deals Covered

$3.0B

Disclosed Deal Value

What are Tesla's biggest acquisitions?

Tesla's largest disclosed acquisition here is SolarCity for $2.6B in 2016. This page covers 6 major deals from 2016 to 2019, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.

Major deals covered
6
Largest deal
SolarCity ($2.6B)
First deal
2016
Most recent
2019
CompanyYearPricePurpose
SolarCity2016$2.6BTesla acquired SolarCity to combine solar generation, battery storage and electric vehicles into a broader sustainable-energy ecosystem. The deal was intended to support products such as Solar Roof, Powerwall and integrated home-energy offerings.
Grohmann Engineering2016$135.0MTesla acquired German automation specialist Grohmann Engineering to create Tesla Advanced Automation Germany and improve factory equipment, speed and production quality. The deal supported the Model 3 ramp and Tesla's ambition to build the machine that builds the machine.
Perbix Machine Company2017$10.5MTesla acquired Perbix, a Minnesota factory-automation supplier, during the Model 3 production ramp. The purpose was to bring specialized automated manufacturing equipment capability in-house and reduce dependence on external suppliers for critical production systems.
Maxwell Technologies2019$218.0MTesla acquired Maxwell Technologies for dry-electrode and ultracapacitor-related battery expertise. The strategic goal was to improve battery manufacturing cost, energy density and production methods that could support future cell programs.
DeepScale2019UndisclosedTesla acquired DeepScale, a computer-vision and perception startup, to add talent and technology for autonomous driving. The deal aligned with Tesla's camera-based approach to driver assistance and Full Self-Driving development.
Hibar Systems2019UndisclosedTesla acquired Hibar Systems, a Canadian specialist in high-speed battery manufacturing and precision dispensing systems, to improve in-house battery production capability. The purchase aligned with Tesla's desire to reduce dependence on external cell-production know-how.
What companies has Tesla bought?
Major acquisitions by Tesla documented here include SolarCity (2016), Maxwell Technologies (2019), Grohmann Engineering (2016), Perbix Machine Company (2017) and DeepScale (2019).
What is Tesla's most recent acquisition?
The most recent Tesla acquisition documented here is Maxwell Technologies, in 2019, for $218M.

Maxwell Technologies

2019

$218M

Why

Tesla acquired Maxwell Technologies for dry-electrode and ultracapacitor-related battery expertise. The strategic goal was to improve battery manufacturing cost, energy density and production methods that could support future cell programs.

Impact

Maxwell strengthened Tesla's battery-technology portfolio and supported the company's push toward more in-house cell development.

Outcome

Maxwell's dry-electrode knowledge influenced Tesla's battery ambitions, including the 4680 program, but the commercial payoff has taken longer than investors expected. The acquisition was coherent yet still dependent on factory-scale execution.

Source →

DeepScale

2019

Why

Tesla acquired DeepScale, a computer-vision and perception startup, to add talent and technology for autonomous driving. The deal aligned with Tesla's camera-based approach to driver assistance and Full Self-Driving development.

Impact

The acquisition modestly strengthened Tesla's autonomy engineering bench at a time when the company was investing heavily in neural-network perception.

Outcome

DeepScale was a small talent and technology acquisition rather than a visible product line. It fit Tesla's pattern of buying narrow capabilities that can be absorbed into internal AI and vehicle software work.

Source →

Hibar Systems

2019

Why

Tesla acquired Hibar Systems, a Canadian specialist in high-speed battery manufacturing and precision dispensing systems, to improve in-house battery production capability. The purchase aligned with Tesla's desire to reduce dependence on external cell-production know-how.

Impact

Hibar supported Tesla's broader battery automation and cell-manufacturing strategy, especially as the company pursued 4680 scaling and battery cost reduction.

Outcome

Hibar became part of Tesla's battery manufacturing ecosystem and later appeared in trade-secret litigation involving former employees. The acquisition's value lies in manufacturing process knowledge rather than a consumer-facing product.

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Perbix Machine Company

2017

$11M

Why

Tesla acquired Perbix, a Minnesota factory-automation supplier, during the Model 3 production ramp. The purpose was to bring specialized automated manufacturing equipment capability in-house and reduce dependence on external suppliers for critical production systems.

Impact

The deal added automation talent and supported Tesla's push to control more of its production equipment.

Outcome

Perbix helped Tesla absorb more manufacturing-tooling expertise, but the timing also showed how difficult the Model 3 ramp had become. The acquisition was useful as part of Tesla's manufacturing-learning curve rather than a standalone transformational deal.

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SolarCity

2016

$2.6B

Why

Tesla acquired SolarCity to combine solar generation, battery storage and electric vehicles into a broader sustainable-energy ecosystem. The deal was intended to support products such as Solar Roof, Powerwall and integrated home-energy offerings.

Impact

The acquisition expanded Tesla beyond vehicles and helped create the Tesla Energy narrative. It also created shareholder litigation and governance scrutiny because SolarCity had debt and close ties to Elon Musk and his family.

Outcome

The acquisition achieved part of its strategic goal by giving Tesla a wider energy platform, but the solar business did not become the clean success promised at announcement. The stronger long-term result has been energy storage, especially Megapack, rather than residential solar roof scale.

Source →

Grohmann Engineering

2016

$135M

Why

Tesla acquired German automation specialist Grohmann Engineering to create Tesla Advanced Automation Germany and improve factory equipment, speed and production quality. The deal supported the Model 3 ramp and Tesla's ambition to build the machine that builds the machine.

Impact

Grohmann strengthened Tesla's automation expertise and helped create a European engineering base for production systems.

Outcome

Grohmann gave Tesla advanced automation talent and a stronger engineering base in Germany, but it did not prevent the Model 3 production crisis. The acquisition still mattered because it deepened Tesla's long-term manufacturing capability and reinforced vertical integration.

Source →

Tesla, Inc.'s Growth & Acquisition Strategy

Tesla's growth plan rests on four bets. First, regain vehicle volume: deliveries fell 8.6% to 1.64 million in 2025, then rebounded to a record 480,126 in Q2 2026, up 25% year over year. Second, autonomy: Tesla runs a paid robotaxi service in several U.S. cities and is building the steering-wheel-free Cybercab, though the Q2 2026 shareholder letter dropped the target of volume production in 2026. Third, energy storage: Megapack and Powerwall deployments generated $3.14 billion of revenue in Q2 2026, and Megapack 3 is in development. Fourth, software and services: FSD (Supervised) subscriptions, Supercharging and service revenue grew 50% to $4.58 billion in Q2 2026. Optimus humanoid robots are a longer-dated option that Tesla funds from its automotive cash flow.

How Tesla, Inc. Makes Money

Tesla operates a vertically integrated electric vehicle, clean energy generation, and software ecosystem model. The company generates revenue across four primary pillars: First, Automotive Sales and Leasing, selling mass-market electric vehicles (Model Y, Model 3) and the Cybertruck directly to consumers without franchised dealers; the premium Model S and Model X were discontinued in 2026. Second, Energy Generation and Storage, manufacturing and deploying utility-scale battery systems (Megapack) and residential solar/Powerwall hardware. Third, Automotive Regulatory Credits, selling zero-emission vehicle credits to legacy automakers needing to meet carbon emissions mandates. Fourth, Services and Other, monetizing the global Supercharger fast-charging network, vehicle maintenance, collision parts, merchandise, and recurring software subscriptions including Full Self-Driving (FSD) and premium connectivity.

Tesla Acquisitions FAQ

What was Tesla's landmark $2.6 billion acquisition of SolarCity in 2016?

In November 2016, Tesla acquired residential solar installer SolarCity for $2.6 billion in stock, merging clean energy generation (solar panels and Solar Roof) with Tesla's Powerwall residential battery storage.

Why was the SolarCity acquisition controversial among shareholders?

Critics noted that Elon Musk was SolarCity's largest shareholder and chairman, and that SolarCity was heavily indebted. Shareholders filed lawsuits alleging conflicts of interest, but Delaware courts ruled fully in Musk's favor in 2022.

How did the acquisition of Grohmann Engineering in 2016 solve manufacturing bottlenecks?

In November 2016, Tesla acquired German industrial automation specialist Grohmann Engineering for $150 million, creating Tesla Grohmann Automation to design high-speed automated assembly equipment for the Model 3 ramp.

What was the strategic value of acquiring Maxwell Technologies in 2019?

In May 2019, Tesla acquired Maxwell Technologies for $218 million to obtain its patented dry-electrode coating process, which eliminates toxic solvents, reduces factory footprint, and forms the basis of Tesla's 4680 battery cells.

Why did Tesla acquire artificial intelligence startup DeepScale in 2019?

In October 2019, Tesla acquired Silicon Valley computer vision startup DeepScale, integrating low-power deep neural network compression techniques and recruiting AI engineers to advance Tesla's Full Self-Driving software.

What was the acquisition of Hibar Systems in 2019?

In 2019, Tesla acquired Canadian manufacturing equipment firm Hibar Systems, a global specialist in high-speed precision liquid dispensing and battery cell automated assembly systems.

What was the acquisition of Perbix Machine Company in 2017?

In November 2017, Tesla acquired Minnesota-based industrial automated equipment designer Perbix, bringing custom robotic tooling and factory machinery fabrication directly in-house.

Why did Tesla acquire German wireless charging startup Wiferion in 2023?

In 2023, Tesla acquired Freiburg-based Wiferion for approximately $76 million, securing proprietary inductive wireless power transfer technology intended for home garage automated charging and future Cybercab robotaxi depots.

What was the acquisition of SilLion in 2021?

In 2021, Tesla acquired intellectual property and research personnel from Colorado battery startup SilLion, securing high-loaded silicon anode technologies to increase lithium-ion cell energy density.

What is Tesla's general approach to M&A versus in-house engineering?

Tesla rarely executes large transformational acquisitions, preferring small, highly targeted "acqui-hires" and IP purchases where specialized teams can solve specific manufacturing, chemistry, or AI bottlenecks.

Did Tesla divest any Maxwell Technologies assets after the acquisition?

In 2021, Tesla sold Maxwell's legacy ultracapacitor business to UCAP Power, retaining Maxwell's proprietary dry-electrode intellectual property and manufacturing equipment for internal battery production.

How does Tesla finance its acquisitions?

Given its substantial liquid cash balance (> $30 billion) and high equity valuation, Tesla funds technology bolt-ons through direct cash reserves or modest common stock issuances without incurring corporate debt.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.