Differentiation

“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”

Elon Musk

In my early ’20s, I started my automotive technical career as a professional auto instructor at a proprietary automotive college. It was an exciting time for me because I was at the inception of learning new skills. At first, it was difficult, though, because I did not know how to lead others, and second, I did not have all the credentials required to teach automotive technical subjects. However, I immerse myself in studying the content, and I learned how to articulate material in a class environment. I recall one day I was taking a break in the instructor’s lounge, and I picked up a magazine. As I was flipping through pages, I came across an interesting article and illustration of an automotive manufacturer demonstrating hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) cars. I thought to myself, is that even possible. What would that future look like in 20 or 30 years from now?

HFC cars use hydrogen gas to convert into electricity, thus powering the electric powertrain motors. The exhaust emits only H2O (water) out of the tailpipe. I know what you are thinking this material is car jargon but an essential fact to know about HFC cars next time you across one.

Automotive technological advancements have accelerated in recent years. I am sure everyone has heard of Telsa, who has disrupted the entire automotive market and marketing strategies. No other manufacturer like Ford, Mercedes, Volvo, and so on have come close to the man behind the brand Telsa Elon Musk, CEO of Telsa. When Elon set out to brand Telsa, his mission statement said it best, “Telsa’s Mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” When the other manufacturers were entertaining the notion of a fully electric vehicle, Telsa was launching a revolutionary, cutting-edge battery technology and electric powertrain. An unknown brand or organization in the automotive space was starting a fully electric car company with technological advancement like no other. This unknown brand was ahead of its other known brand competitors like AUDI, Mercedes Benz, Volvo, and Ford. Not only was Tesla disrupting the automotive market, but the brand has continued to prevail in other sectors as well. For example, housing solar panels with Powerwalls, Powerpack, SpaceX, and SolarCity.