Tesla execs Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel depart amid layoffs

Tesla executives Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel introduced Monday they’re leaving the electrical car maker and clear power firm. CEO Elon Musk thanked each departing execs on X, previously Twitter, the social community he owns and runs as CTO.

The information comes after Tesla stated it’s laying off more than 10% of its workforce.

Baglino had labored with Tesla since its early years, beginning as a firmware and electrical engineer in 2006. He most just lately reported on to Musk as the corporate’s senior vice chairman for powertrain and power engineering.

Patel joined Tesla in 2016 after working as a senior advisor to former President Obama on local weather and power points, amongst different coverage issues.

Reuters recently reported that Tesla has put aside plans to make a extra reasonably priced new EV at Musk’s course. The technique shift features a higher give attention to growing a “robotaxi,” and comes amid steep competitors together with from BYD and different Chinese language automakers with extra reasonably priced electrical automobiles.

Patel and Baglino had been deeply concerned in battery and car manufacturing, associated coverage, and turning Tesla right into a multi-national EV producer. They have been much less concerned in autonomous car expertise at Tesla. 

Baglino wrote in a publish on X:

“I made the difficult decision to move on from Tesla after 18 years yesterday. I am so thankful to have worked with and learned from the countless incredibly talented people at Tesla over the years. I loved tackling nearly every problem we solved as a team and feel gratified to have contributed to the mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy, a mission that I am quite passionate about.”

Musk responded on the platform, “Thanks for everything you’ve done for Tesla. Few have contributed as much as you.”

As of Monday morning, Tesla had not but up to date the “leadership” info on its corporate webpage to mirror Baglino’s departure.

Patel wrote in a publish on the social community, “The past 8 years at Tesla have been filled with every emotion – but the feeling I have today is utmost gratitude,” including that “My immigrant parents worked their asses off and as a result I’m the luckiest dude. Lucky to have been a part of @BarackObama‘s campaign/administration, and truly honored to have worked at @Tesla to positively changing multiple industries.”

Musk replied to Patel saying, “Thanks for everything you’ve done for Tesla. Much appreciated.”

The CEO additionally stated, in a publish on X on Monday, “About every 5 years, we need to reorganize and streamline the company for the next phase of growth.”

Baglino and Patel weren’t instantly accessible for remark.