Incorporated in $2003,$ Tesla declared in its mission statement that its goal is $$to accelerate the world$$s transition to sustainable transport,$56$Links to an external site. and it has proven itself a leader in green technology in the automotive sector. In its initial business plan, by co$-$founder Martin Eberhard, the electric sports car company promised to provide the value of a high$-$end sports car at a lower cost to the customer and a lower environmental cost to the planet. Electric vehicles were seen as inferior to standard vehicles prior to Tesla$$s innovations in creating powerful cars that piqued consumer desire. The generic automotive manufacturing business model relies on collaborative manufacturing with industry partners and a distribution model dependent on third parties. Standard cars are aimed at people and businesses with individual transportation needs. This model is commercially viable because of custom$-$equipped add$-$on features to the per$-$vehicle prices.

Q: Tesla$$s business model is different. Identify at least three ways in which the Tesla model differs from the traditional automotive business model.