In a significant shake-up at Tesla Inc., senior executives Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel have announced their departure from the leading electric vehicle and clean energy firm. The announcement was made public on Monday, with CEO Elon Musk expressing his gratitude towards the two departing executives on X, the social network platform he owns.
The news of their exit follows Tesla’s recent disclosure of a workforce reduction exceeding 10%. Drew Baglino, a long-standing figure at Tesla, joined the company in 2006 as a firmware and electrical engineer. He ascended through the ranks to become the senior vice president for powertrain and energy engineering, reporting directly to Musk. Rohan Patel, on the other hand, came on board in 2016 after serving as a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama, focusing on climate, energy, and other policy areas.
This leadership change occurs amidst a strategic pivot reported by Reuters, where Tesla has paused plans for a more economical EV model, directing efforts towards the development of a “robotaxi” service. This shift comes in the face of intense competition, particularly from Chinese automakers like BYD, offering more cost-effective electric vehicles.
Both Patel and Baglino have been instrumental in Tesla’s growth, heavily involved in battery technology, vehicle manufacturing, and policy-related matters. However, their roles in autonomous vehicle technology were reportedly less prominent.
In a heartfelt post on X, Baglino reflected on his 18-year tenure at Tesla, expressing his passion for the company’s mission to expedite the transition to sustainable energy. Musk responded with commendation for Baglino’s substantial contributions to Tesla.
Patel shared his sentiments on the same platform, conveying gratitude for his 8-year journey with Tesla and acknowledging his family’s efforts that paved the way for his success. Musk reciprocated with appreciation for Patel’s work at the company.
Musk also hinted at organizational changes, stating on X that Tesla undergoes restructuring approximately every five years to prepare for future growth phases.
As of the latest update, Tesla’s corporate leadership page has not been revised to reflect Baglino’s departure. Both Baglino and Patel were unavailable for immediate comment on the matter.
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