Part 5/9:
While some suggest that Musk could theoretically fulfill part of his pay package by paying $35 billion upfront—covering one milestone—practical issues such as auditing and verifying such achievements complicate this. Furthermore, Musk's plan isn't just about robots and vehicles; it encompasses a larger vision of AI, robotics, and an overall transformation of Tesla’s market value.
Considering Tesla must hit an estimated market cap of around $8.5 trillion to unlock the full payout, the barriers are substantial. The path involves scaling production—like reaching a 10 million unit run rate for Tesla's Optimus robots—plus expanding revenue streams. Phil’s estimates suggest that a $30,000 price point per robot could result in a $300 billion business, but timelines remain uncertain.