Musk defends timing of Tesla’s $2.6 bln deal for SolarCity

Elon Musk told a judge on Tuesday Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) had to buy SolarCity in 2016 because the failing solar panel company was essential to the electric vehicle maker’s long-term goal of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.
Musk begins testifying in defense of Tesla’s $2.6 bln deal for SolarCity

WILMINGTON, Del., July 12 (Reuters) – Elon Musk took the stand on Monday to defend Tesla Inc’s (TSLA.O) 2016 acquisition of SolarCity against a lawsuit by shareholders seeking to recoup the $2.6 billion the company paid for the ailing solar panel maker. “Pretoria, South Africa,” said Musk, responding to the first question of where he was born. […]