Two key executives from Tesla, Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel, have announced their departure from the electric vehicle maker and clean energy company. The announcement was made on X, a social network owned and run by Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, who also serves as its chief technology officer. Musk expressed his gratitude to both executives for their contributions to the company.
Workforce Reduction at Tesla
The departure of Baglino and Patel comes in the wake of Tesla’s announcement that it is laying off more than 10% of its workforce. Baglino, who has been with Tesla since its early years, started as a firmware and electrical engineer in 2006. He most recently held the position of senior vice president for powertrain and energy engineering, reporting directly to Musk. Patel, on the other hand, joined Tesla in 2016 after serving as a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama on climate and energy issues, among other policy matters.
Tesla’s Shift in Strategy
Recently, Tesla has reportedly set aside plans to manufacture a more affordable new electric vehicle (EV) as directed by Musk. The company’s strategy shift includes a greater focus on developing a “robotaxi” amidst stiff competition from BYD and other Chinese automakers offering more affordable electric cars. Both Patel and Baglino had been deeply involved in battery and vehicle manufacturing, related policy, and transforming Tesla into a multinational EV manufacturer. However, they were less involved in autonomous vehicle technology at Tesla.
Executives Express Gratitude
In a post on X, Baglino expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Tesla and contribute to its mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. Patel echoed similar sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the experiences and opportunities he had at Tesla. Musk responded to both executives, thanking them for their contributions to the company.
As of Monday morning, Tesla had not yet updated the “leadership” information on its corporate webpage to reflect Baglino’s departure. Baglino and Patel were not immediately available for comment.