Tesla Cybertruck Executive Siddhant Awasthi Resigns After 8 Years

Tesla has announced a significant leadership change as Siddhant Awasthi, the programme manager for the company’s Cybertruck and Model 3, has resigned after eight years with the electric vehicle giant. Awasthi shared the news on LinkedIn, describing his departure as “not an easy decision,” though he did not reveal details about his next move.

Awasthi’s journey at Tesla began as an intern, and he quickly rose through the ranks. Over his tenure, he contributed to the ramp-up of the Model 3, development work at Giga Shanghai, new electronics and wireless architecture projects, and ultimately the delivery of the highly anticipated Cybertruck. Awasthi’s experience spans multiple facets of Tesla’s operations, showcasing his deep involvement in shaping some of the company’s most notable vehicles.

His resignation comes amid ongoing challenges for Tesla. Last month, the company issued a recall of over 63,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to overly bright front lights, raising concerns about road safety. Earlier this year, U.S. regulators recalled nearly 46,000 Cybertrucks for a hazardous exterior panel along the windshield.

Tesla has also faced declining profits in recent quarters. The company reported a 37% drop in third-quarter earnings in October, with profits falling to $1.4 billion from $2.2 billion the previous year, marking four consecutive quarters of declining profitability. Despite this, Tesla’s sales had risen slightly, fueled in part by the rush to claim a $7,500 federal EV tax credit before it expired in October.

While Tesla navigates these operational and financial challenges, CEO Elon Musk recently secured shareholder approval for a performance-based stock plan potentially worth $1 trillion, reflecting continued investor confidence despite controversies surrounding Musk. Tesla’s stock rose over 2% ahead of the market open on Monday following Awasthi’s announcement.

Awasthi leaves behind a legacy of innovation and execution, particularly in bringing the futuristic Cybertruck from concept to production. His departure marks a pivotal moment for Tesla as it navigates recalls, profit pressures, and ongoing market shifts in the EV sector.