Tesla's Musk to stay CEO through Model S launch | Small Business | Reuters Also picked up by ABG. However, first commented on by Valleywag: Gawker - Tesla CEO: Daimler Won't Let You Fire Me - elon musk
Golden handcuffs indeed This is quite a commitment for Musk as well. The buck (profitable production of Model S in 2011) stops with him. Good luck and Godspeed!
My understanding is he never did want to be CEO - he would rather devote more time to new ventures ... but at this point he hasn't been able to find someone suitable to take on that position to his satisfaction, and during this critical time in the company's development he needs to keep a close eye on it.