Afshar is the latest executive to exit the EV maker amid declining sales and subdued share price
26 June 2025 - 22:15
byAlexandra Ulmer
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The logo of Tesla is seen on a store in Paris, France. Picture: REUTERS/CHARLES PLATIAU
Bengaluru/Washington — Tesla executive and Elon Musk confidant Omead Afshar has left the company, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday, marking another senior departure as the electric vehicle (EV) maker grapples with slowing global demand.
Afshar was part of the CEO’s office and began overseeing sales and manufacturing operations in Europe and North America last year. He joined Tesla in 2017 and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Musk’s trusted lieutenants, playing a central role in major projects including the construction of the Texas Gigafactory.
Demand for Tesla’s EVs has slowed in Europe and North America as Musk embraced right-wing politics and supported US President Donald Trump, spearheading the White House’s department of government efficiency that alienated some potential buyers.
Afshar’s departure was reported earlier by Bloomberg News and other media outlets.
In late May, Musk ended his Washington stint, offering some reassurance to investors concerned about brand damage and his limited focus on Tesla. Still, the shares remain down about 19% for the year, after initially rising on optimism that Trump’s victory would clear the regulatory path for robotaxis.
On Sunday, Tesla deployed a small group of self-driving taxis that picked up paying passengers in Austin, Texas. The company plans to expand the service to more cities in the US, but some analysts and experts have warned that the mass roll-out could be tough, given concerns about safety and the technology.
Afshar’s departure also follows a wave of executive exits in 2024, triggered by company-wide restructuring as Tesla cut thousands of jobs and reorientated its focus toward artificial intelligence-based self-driving technology and robotics.
Top executives who have left Tesla include CFO Zach Kirkhorn, chief battery engineer Drew Baglino and Rebecca Tinucci, who led the Supercharging division.
Separately, Jenna Ferrua, who headed human resources operations in Austin, has also quit, according to latest media reports.
Tesla, Ferrua and Musk did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment, while emails to Afshar were not delivered.
Analysts expect Tesla to report a second straight annual decline in global deliveries, a first in the company’s about two-decade history.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Elon Musk confidant Omead Afshar leaves Tesla
Afshar is the latest executive to exit the EV maker amid declining sales and subdued share price
Bengaluru/Washington — Tesla executive and Elon Musk confidant Omead Afshar has left the company, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday, marking another senior departure as the electric vehicle (EV) maker grapples with slowing global demand.
Afshar was part of the CEO’s office and began overseeing sales and manufacturing operations in Europe and North America last year. He joined Tesla in 2017 and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Musk’s trusted lieutenants, playing a central role in major projects including the construction of the Texas Gigafactory.
Demand for Tesla’s EVs has slowed in Europe and North America as Musk embraced right-wing politics and supported US President Donald Trump, spearheading the White House’s department of government efficiency that alienated some potential buyers.
Afshar’s departure was reported earlier by Bloomberg News and other media outlets.
In late May, Musk ended his Washington stint, offering some reassurance to investors concerned about brand damage and his limited focus on Tesla. Still, the shares remain down about 19% for the year, after initially rising on optimism that Trump’s victory would clear the regulatory path for robotaxis.
On Sunday, Tesla deployed a small group of self-driving taxis that picked up paying passengers in Austin, Texas. The company plans to expand the service to more cities in the US, but some analysts and experts have warned that the mass roll-out could be tough, given concerns about safety and the technology.
Afshar’s departure also follows a wave of executive exits in 2024, triggered by company-wide restructuring as Tesla cut thousands of jobs and reorientated its focus toward artificial intelligence-based self-driving technology and robotics.
Top executives who have left Tesla include CFO Zach Kirkhorn, chief battery engineer Drew Baglino and Rebecca Tinucci, who led the Supercharging division.
Separately, Jenna Ferrua, who headed human resources operations in Austin, has also quit, according to latest media reports.
Tesla, Ferrua and Musk did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment, while emails to Afshar were not delivered.
Analysts expect Tesla to report a second straight annual decline in global deliveries, a first in the company’s about two-decade history.
Reuters
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