One only has to look at long the list of failed automobile companies since 1900. The stock market crash of 1929 produced a long list of automobile failures. Elon Musk is trying very hard not to fail in a very tough automobile business.
Who remembers when Ford refused to spend as little as one dollar to prevent/correct the exploding gas tanks on their Pinto?
Who remembers when GM was putting Oldsmobile engines in Chevy's without informing customers because it was cheaper, lagging behind installing anti-lock brakes, and fuel injection. VW was doing very well in the 1960s so GM introduced a Corvair that was unsafe at any speed.
Read the book "Power Play" by Tim Higgins people and you will gain a better understanding of what Elon is up against.