Tesla VP Drew Baglino, known for disliking meetings with Elon Musk, has resigned. Raises concerns about Tesla’s leadership structure.
In a surprising turn of events, Drew Baglino, Tesla’s Senior Vice President, has tendered his resignation. Baglino, a key executive at the electric vehicle giant, played a pivotal role in engineering and technology development for Tesla’s batteries, motors, and energy products. His departure comes amidst the company’s largest-ever round of job cuts, driven by slowing electric vehicle demand.
Who Is Drew Baglino?
Drew Baglino, with an impressive 18 years of experience, has been a prominent figure within Tesla. He co-hosted earnings calls and shared the stage with none other than Elon Musk himself at various events, including Tesla’s investor day last year. Baglino’s engineering expertise and contributions have been instrumental in shaping Tesla’s technological advancements.
The Friction with Elon Musk
Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk’s biographer, recounted a tense first meeting between Baglino and the CEO. Baglino reportedly expressed his reluctance to be in another meeting with Musk, a sentiment he shared with Tesla co-founder J.B. Straubel. Despite their differences, Baglino’s engineering prowess remained invaluable to the company.
Other Departures
Baglino isn’t the only high-ranking executive to bid farewell to Tesla recently. Rohan Patel, Tesla’s Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development, has also resigned. Additionally, last year saw Zachary Kirkhorn, Tesla’s former Chief Financial Officer, stepping down after 13 years with the company.
Tesla’s Cost-Cutting Measures
Tesla’s decision to reduce its global headcount by more than 10% has been driven by several factors, including the need to streamline operations and cut costs. As the company prepares for its next phase of growth, duplications of roles and functions have necessitated these job cuts. Elon Musk, in an email to staff, emphasized the importance of cost reductions while maintaining productivity.
The Road Ahead
As Tesla faces challenges related to sales and stock performance, the departure of key executives like Drew Baglino underscores the company’s ongoing transformation. With the electric vehicle landscape evolving rapidly, Tesla remains at the forefront of innovation, even as it bids farewell to some of its seasoned leaders.
Also Read: The Inside Story of Tesla’s Fall to Earth: Challenges, Declining Sales, and Elon Musk’s Dilemma