Drew Baglino, Tesla's senior vice president of powertrain and energy engineering, bid farewell to the electric vehicle company after dedicating 18 years of service to its mission.
Announcing his departure from Tesla, Baglino shared his decision to move on via X. His exit comes amidst Tesla's recent announcement of layoffs affecting over 10% of its workforce.
Baglino, who joined Tesla in its formative years in 2006, initially served as a firmware and electrical engineer, contributing significantly to the company's early development.
Additionally, Rohan Patel, Tesla's vice president of public policy and business development, also parted ways with the company. Patel, who joined Tesla in 2016, previously served as a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama, specializing in climate and energy matters.
Recent reports by Reuters shed light on Tesla's strategic shift under Musk's guidance, abandoning plans for a more affordable electric vehicle and instead focusing on advancing the development of a "robotaxi." This shift reflects heightened competition from Chinese automakers like BYD, offering more cost-effective electric cars.
Baglino and Patel played pivotal roles in Tesla's pursuits in battery and vehicle manufacturing, as well as in shaping the company's global footprint in the electric vehicle market. Their contributions were instrumental in advancing Tesla's overarching goal of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.
Reflecting on his journey at Tesla, Baglino expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with talented individuals and contribute to the company's mission in a social media post.
Meanwhile, Musk acknowledged Baglino's contributions, expressing gratitude for his service to Tesla.
Similarly, Patel conveyed appreciation for the enriching experiences during his tenure at Tesla and his prior engagement in public service.
In an earlier post on X, Musk hinted at potential organizational changes at Tesla in the future, emphasizing the periodic need for company restructuring to adapt to evolving growth phases.
As of Monday morning, Tesla's corporate webpage had yet to reflect Baglino's departure in its leadership information.
