Elon Musk

Elon Musk described autonomous-driving technology as “transformative” to Tesla Inc. in a call aimed at ginning up interest in the electric-car maker’s debt and stock offering of about $2 billion, according to two people who dialed in.

Tesla Inc. plans to raise about $2 billion through debt and stock offerings, after CEO Elon Musk overestimated the ability of the Model 3 sedan to generate enough cash for the company to be self-sustaining.

Tesla Inc.’s calling used to be bringing affordable electric cars to the masses. Elon Musk is now ripping up the script, vowing to pair self-driving technology with a sharing service that will make it crazy for consumers to buy other cars.

In a joint letter to U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan, Tesla Inc.’s top executive and the securities regulator said they haven’t been able to resolve a legal dispute over how Musk posts news about his electric-car company. The judge agreed and gave them until April 25.