Franz von Holzhausen
Tesla Motors
Core Principles
product
Design and engineering must be given equal value and kept opposed to each other. This creative tension produces superior products.
Franz von Holzhausen described how Tesla differed from traditional automakers where engineering comes first and designers are asked to make it beautiful. At Tesla, design and engineering were equally valued and positioned to challenge each other, creating a dynamic that prevented either discipline from dominating problem-solving.
“Here at Tesla, design and engineering are assigned equal value and Elon keeps them opposed to each other.”
Stories
Franz von Holzhausen was a celebrated car designer at General Motors and Mazda when Tesla asked him to lead design of the Model S. Despite the company's precarious state, he agreed to bet his career on Tesla. At established automakers, engineering prescribes what's possible and designers make it beautiful. At Tesla, design and engineering held equal power and were kept in creative tension.
Lesson: Great talent will join uncertain ventures if the mission is compelling and the working environment unlocks their capabilities. Giving design equal voice to engineering produces qualitatively different products than either discipline alone.
Notable Quotes
“A company like GM is a finance-driven company who always has to live up to financial expectations. Here, we look at it the other way around. The product is successful when it's great, and the company becomes great because of that.”
Describing the difference in philosophy between traditional automakers and Tesla's approach to leadership and organizational priorities.
“When we started the Model S, it was a clean sheet of paper.”
Highlighting how Tesla's advantage came from designing without constraints of automotive industry legacy and conventions.
More Automotive Founders
Want Franz's advice on your business?
Our AI has studied Franz von Holzhausen's biography, principles, and decision-making frameworks. Ask any business question.
Start a conversation