Tesla CEO Musk reveals Apple offered double pay to engineers
Musk said Apple once 'carpet bombed' Tesla engineers with recruiting calls, offering double their pay during its now cancelled EV program. He highlighted the intensity of recruitment efforts as Apple sought to build its own electric vehicle team.
1. Musk Highlights Aggressive Recruitment
Elon Musk disclosed that Apple deployed an intensive outreach strategy against Tesla, repeatedly contacting its engineering staff to persuade them to switch employers. He characterized the effort as a deliberate 'carpet bombing' of calls aimed at luring key talent.
2. Apple’s Double-Pay Incentive
During the planning phase of its now-shelved electric vehicle initiative, Apple offered targeted Tesla engineers up to twice their existing salaries to join its project. This approach underscored Apple’s willingness to invest heavily in automotive R&D talent.
3. Implications for Tesla’s Workforce
The episode illustrates the escalating competition for EV expertise and may heighten pressure on Tesla to bolster retention programs. Sustained poaching risks creating talent gaps that could affect Tesla’s development timelines and innovation capacity.