New Delhi: Two of Tesla’s senior executives have resigned from the company within hours of each other, sending fresh waves through the electric vehicle
industry. The heads of the Cybertruck and Model Y programs, Siddhant Awasthi and Emmanuel Lamacchia, both announced their departures this week, marking another chapter in Tesla’s string of high-profile exits.
The timing is striking. Tesla is in the middle of a major strategic shift from being a pure electric carmaker to an AI and robotics-focused technology company. The exits come just as CEO Elon Musk continues to talk up Tesla’s future with projects like robotaxis and the Optimus humanoid robot, rather than new EVs.
The Cybertruck leader bows out
Siddhant Awasthi, who spent eight years at Tesla, revealed his exit in a post on LinkedIn. He reflected on his time leading the Cybertruck and Model 3 programs, calling it a “thrilling journey” that included everything from the ramp-up of the Model 3 to developing new electronics and wireless architectures. He also mentioned that his work on the futuristic Cybertruck project was one of his most memorable achievements.
Awasthi joined Tesla straight out of university and, by his own account, contributed to several key launches before turning 30. It’s not known what his next step will be, but his departure comes at a time when the Cybertruck — Tesla’s stainless steel pickup with a top speed of about 180 kmph — is still under scrutiny for production delays and design tweaks.
Model Y program head leaves hours later
Just hours after Awasthi’s announcement, Emmanuel Lamacchia, who oversaw the Model Y program, confirmed he was also leaving Tesla after eight years. He described leading the launch of the “All-New Model Y” as a highlight, adding that converting four factories across three continents in just two weeks had never been done before in the auto industry.
The Model Y, Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, crossed over a million deliveries globally last year. Its consistent performance helped Tesla hold a dominant position in the EV market, especially in markets like China and the United States. Lamacchia’s exit, however, adds to the growing list of key managers who have stepped away from the company in recent months.
Tesla’s leadership churn continues
The back-to-back resignations follow several major departures. Earlier this year, Omead Afshar, a longtime advisor to Musk who managed Tesla’s operations across North America and Europe, left in June. Troy Jones, vice president of sales for North America, quit in July after 15 years. In 2024, Drew Baglino, the senior vice president of powertrain and energy engineering, also exited to launch his own energy startup.
Reuters reported that several senior program managers have left Tesla over the past year, including David Zhang, who previously led the Model S and Model X programs. The shakeups are happening amid slowing EV sales and a company pivot toward artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and robotics.
