EVs sold at competitive prices? Compared with what, other EVs? Even with all the public money in the form of subsidies thrown at Tesla, their cars have until recently been affordable and then only to the minority of the financially well off in the U.S. and elsewhere. Musk did not invent the EV, rather he saw an opportunity to exploit a market segment abandoned and ignored by the majors.
Before there was Tesla, there was the Prius Hybrid and the EV Nissan Leaf (few others not worth mentioning). Both basic cars sold at a premium price. The Leaf had a true range of about 110km.
Then came Tesla, a couple of guys had an idea to improve the environment, one was a battery wizard. They put together a EV and started to show the world, they contacted entrepreneurs to help financially back their enterprise but not many were keen. One was Elon Musk, he like the idea but was concerned about the viability. The dream team worked on his fascination of future tech. Elon was sold and he came, with bigger ideas and a plan to ensure the success of this new venture that included building an affordable EV with a charging network.
Together they put together a team of engineers, designers, software techs and created the Roadster. An expensive EV sports car aimed at people with a lot of disposable income that wanted to help change the world, by purchasing the extremely pricey Roadster to help fund the next project - a more affordable EV. This needed to be done in steps because there was no mass production of the parts required to keep costs down.
The Model S was produced, a high end saloon that was more practical than the Roadster, and at a price equivalent to high end Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac and equivalents.
Sales took off, more money in the bank to help develop the Tesla teams dream - an EV for the masses.
The Model X came next, aimed at the Range Rover driving market. Another success and more dollars in the bank.
And then the Model 3 came out, another step closer to an affordable EV priced to compete against the luxury entry level BMW's and Mercedes. An EV that had enough range that allowed owners to drive into the country side, and a charging network that allowed them to get back home.
There is more to this story, it goes back many years and the correct information is readily available if someone was willing to read with an open mind.
Such rhetorical nonsense demonstrates your office cubicle mindset (like Musk's) is clearly mired in outdated work practices while totally ignoring advances in workplace collaboration tools that actually enhance the equality of and communication between employees. That "water cooler" was long ago made redundant by virtual conferencing.
It appears that you don't like to do what you preach "Since you know nothing about my company or the culture there, you're in no position to make such comments."
What do you know about the Tesla operations and their work formula?
You frequently demonstrate little objectivity when discussing anything Musk and Tesla. Being a fervent apologist for and advocate of Musk at every turn exposes your extreme bias on this subject. Is there anything Musk does or says that you don't agree with or endorse, does Musk deserve such devotion? Musk doesn't deserve such infallible hero status and unquestioning defense. He is a fallible human being and awkward pronouncements such as his 40hr edict is an example of this.
I do believe in what Musk and Tesla are doing but wouldn't go as far as saying that I'm bias. There was a time when I had no time for Elon Musk, and I thought that Tesla was a con that had sucked in weirdos willing to pay ridiculous amounts for Tesla shares.
A time came when I decided to find out why Tesla prices continued to grow and people kept buying an EV when there were much cheaper ICEVs. I read, I researched, but not just on Elon, I found out about the beginnings of Tesla and its crew.
Elon is no angel, but who is?
Instead of reading news headlines, I suggest that you read more in-depth reports. A easy start is the book
Power Play: Elon Musk, Tesla, and the Bet of the Century. the author is no Elon fan boy, actually Elon didn't rate it very highly.