Tesla's Elon Musk Named Innovator of the Year by WSJ

Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk wins prestigious award.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of electric automaker Tesla Motors (and SpaceX) received the Wall Street Journal Magazine's first-ever Innovator of the Year Award in Technology.

WSJ Magazine’s Innovator of the Year Award honors the "most creative, disruptive and influential individuals" across the globe. Musk certainly stands out in all three categories. On the automotive side, the oft-outspoken and sometimes over-the-top Musk is largely responsible for bringing ground- breaking electric vehicles to market—including the Tesla Roadster and the upcoming Tesla Model S.

Upon receiving the award on October 27, Musk stated, "It is an honor to be recognized by WSJ Magazine, and to join these other visionaries here tonight. It is urgently important to apply innovation to the areas that will most affect our future. I am committed to finding renewable energy solutions, accelerating the adoption of sustainable transportation, and revolutionizing space travel."

For Musk and Tesla, the immediate future will ultimately depend on the success of the Model S, a vehicle Musk describes as not only being the finest electric automobile to ever hit the streets, but as the "best car of any kind," regardless of means of propulsion.

Hyperbole? Interested consumers will be able to judge for themselves in November, as the Tesla Model S goes on tour. Model S Beta prototypes will be on display in Menlo Park, Calif.; Newport Beach, Calif.; Lone Tree, Colo.; and Toronto. See the events section of Tesla's website for dates and locations. The Beta prototypes on display are "90 percent production intent in fit finish and performance," according to Tesla.