Tesla chief Elon Musk shifts beyond cars with name change

Tesla chief executive Elon with the Model X in September 2015.
Tesla chief executive Elon with the Model X in September 2015. AP

Tesla Motors has changed its name to "Tesla Inc" as chief executive Elon Musk looks to transform the Silicon Valley firm from an electric car maker to a diversified energy products company.

In October, Musk unveiled solar-powered roof tiles that eliminate the need for traditional panels and a longer-lasting home battery illustrating the benefits of combining his electric car and battery maker with solar installer SolarCity Corp.

Tesla won approval in November from its shareholders to acquire SolarCity, for a stock swap deal worth about $US2 billion, in which Musk was the largest shareholder.

The new name is effective immediately, Tesla said in a filing.

Reuters