Tesla Cybertruck Head Siddhant Awasthi Exits After 8 Years

In a surprising move, Siddhant Awasthi, the head of Tesla’s Cybertruck program, announced his departure after more than eight years with the electric vehicle giant. His exit marks another shift in a company already navigating leadership changes and talent departures.

Awasthi’s career trajectory at Tesla has been remarkable. Joining straight out of school in 2018 after interning at the company and working on a hyperloop school project, he quickly climbed the ranks. Within two years, he became an engineering manager, and by 2021, he was overseeing the Cybertruck’s 48-volt architecture as a senior technical program manager. By late 2022, he was appointed head of the entire Cybertruck program, taking responsibility for both production ramp-up and future vehicle improvements.

Despite the ambitious vision, the Cybertruck has struggled commercially. Tesla aimed to produce 250,000 units annually, but only around 25,000 trucks are selling each year. Many analysts cite the difference between the 2019 unveiling promises and the 2023 production model—lower range, fewer features, and a higher price—as key reasons for the slow uptake.

Awasthi also took on additional responsibilities last year, overseeing the Model 3 program while continuing his duties with the Cybertruck. In a farewell message, he reflected on his eight-year journey at Tesla, highlighting his involvement in the Model 3 ramp-up, Giga Shanghai, new electronics development, and the once-in-a-lifetime Cybertruck project—all accomplished before turning 30.

Tesla’s leadership approach emphasizes promoting talent from within rather than hiring external executives. Over the past five years, the company has rarely recruited high-level leaders from outside, opting instead to cultivate in-house talent. Awasthi’s rise is a prime example of this philosophy, though some industry observers question whether this internal promotion model may contribute to challenges in large-scale program execution.

While Awasthi leaves, Tesla continues to face the broader challenge of scaling production and meeting the ambitious expectations it has set for its vehicles. The departure comes amid a wave of organizational changes following last year’s layoffs and ongoing talent shifts across the company.