Recently, Tesla has faced a notable decline in sales, igniting conversations around management changes. If we were to attribute these declines solely to management issues, particularly with the “program managers,” it appears that significant shifts are already underway. Notably, the program manager for the much-anticipated Cybertruck has departed along with the Model Y program manager, both leaving shortly after each other.
In Q3 of this year, Tesla reported sales of 5,385 Cybertrucks, marking a staggering 63% drop compared to the same quarter in 2024. To make matters more interesting, Elon Musk’s companies, SpaceX and xAI, have stepped in to purchase excess Cybertruck inventory. This follows a previous recall last month of 63,000 Cybertrucks due to issues with intense headlights, which added to the drama after an earlier recall of 46,000 vehicles related to cosmetic failures.
On LinkedIn, Siddhant Awasthi, the former Cybertruck program manager, shared, “I recently made one of the hardest decisions of my life.” Although the post did not delve into specifics about his departure, Awasthi expressed gratitude toward Tesla, leaving many to speculate whether the decision was mutual or if he was pursuing new opportunities. Notably, Awasthi seems to have had a fast-paced career trajectory, achieving recognition at Tesla at a relatively young age. He initially joined the company around the time he was still a student at the University of Cincinnati, working on projects inspired by Musk’s Hyperloop concept.
Following Awasthi’s exit, Emmanuel Lamacchia, who held the same title for the Model Y, also left the company just hours later. In his LinkedIn retrospective, Lamacchia remarked on the remarkable journey he experienced at Tesla.
The Model Y continues to be the top-selling electric vehicle in the U.S., though it has seen a 23% decrease in sales compared to 2024. As noted by Reuters, over the past year, several senior program managers have opted to leave Tesla, including David Zhang, who was responsible for the Model S and Model X programs.
Amid these transitions, queries about why Awasthi and Lamacchia left Tesla have emerged. Gizmodo is currently seeking a response from the company to shed light on these departures.
Interestingly, during a recent Tesla earnings call, Elon Musk remarked on the influence of “corporate terrorists” hindering shareholders from granting him a lucrative pay package, yet, surprisingly, shareholders decided to commit. Some of Musk’s ambitious targets include transitioning Tesla into a leader in automation, with goals like rolling out one million robotaxis and humanoid robots. Achieving these feats will likely require visionary and effective program managers at the helm.
What were the reasons behind the recent management shakeup at Tesla? The departures of key managers such as Awasthi and Lamacchia reflect broader adjustments in how Tesla may approach its challenging market conditions.
Are the sales declines solely due to management issues? While the management shakeups could signal a need for change, external factors such as production challenges and market competition also play significant roles in Tesla’s sales performance.
How is Tesla adapting to the declining sales of Cybertrucks? With Musk’s companies purchasing unsold inventory, Tesla could be recalibrating its market approach to better align with demand and take corrective action toward sales.
What can we expect from Tesla in the coming months? With ambitious goals set by Musk and management changes in place, the outlook will depend on how effectively the new team can execute these plans and rebuild sales momentum.
In a rapidly shifting automotive landscape, staying informed is crucial. Consider diving deeper into discussions about Tesla’s future by exploring related content at Moyens I/O.