These high-performing employees are reportedly attracted by Tesla's status in the automobile industry — comparable, they say, to Apple's place in the computing world 15 years ago. But for Telsa (and its rival carmakers) these hires are about more than just recapturing the spirit of '00. As the software that is used to control cars becomes a larger part of their value, car companies that can attract top-flight coding talent will have a massive advantage over competitors. If even Apple is incapable of hiring employees away from Tesla (Musk says the iPhone-maker has gone as far as offering his staff $250,000 signing fees and 60 percent salary increases), then Detroit's finest are unlikely to have much of a chance. And with Telsa's software updates capable of delivering not just new app animations but tangible increases in a car's ability to drive really fast, it's not hard to see why Apple's talent is tempted to jump ship.