The Detroit carmaker is creating a domestic supply base to make EVs cheaper and profitable aided by Kurt Kelty, who landed Tesla’s top battery supplier in its early days.

Tesla Inc. shares have nearly doubled in value since the last time the company reported earnings— a set-up that usually spells high expectations for upcoming results. But its car-selling business has become a sideshow to Elon Musk’s political prominence.

Tesla (TSLA) reported fourth-quarter revenue and adjusted profit below analysts' estimates in extended trading Wednesday. Shares initially fell and then rose after the results' release. Tesla posted net income of $2.