In 2015, Tesla Motors Inc. pulled off one of the most successful pranks in recent memory when it tricked people into believing that it was releasing a new car called the “Model W.” The prank caused Tesla’s stock to jump by nearly 10 percent in a single day.
The prank began when Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted a cryptic message that read “About time to unveil the D and something else.” This tweet was followed by a series of tweets that hinted at the possibility of a new car called the “Model W.” Musk even went so far as to post a picture of a car with the letter “W” on the side.
The prank quickly spread across the internet, with many people speculating that Tesla was about to release a new car. This speculation caused Tesla’s stock to jump by nearly 10 percent in a single day.
However, it soon became clear that the “Model W” was nothing more than a prank. Musk later revealed that the “W” stood for “wheel” and that the picture he posted was of a wheel from a Tesla Model S.
The prank was a success, as it caused Tesla’s stock to jump and generated a lot of buzz about the company. It also showed that Musk is not afraid to have a little fun with his company’s public image.
Tesla’s stock has since returned to its pre-prank levels, but the “Model W” prank will always be remembered as one of the most successful pranks in recent memory. It showed that Tesla is not afraid to take risks and that it can generate a lot of buzz with a simple prank.