Tesla has cut its workforce by 25% and raised $45 million in funding while partnering with Daimler and receiving a $465 million loan from the US government. It sells cars including Model S, Model X, and Model 3 and is working to expand into energy products and storage. Tesla uses a direct sales model through its website and showrooms without dealerships or middlemen to reduce costs and maintain control over the customer experience. It aims to achieve economies of scale through large Gigafactories to produce batteries and powertrains.