![\"Tesla](\"https:\/\/wordpress-assets.futurism.com\/2024\/10\/tesla-exec-leaves-robotaxi-event-300x158.jpg\")
<\/div>Peace Out<\/h2>
One of Tesla's long-serving executives is abandoning ship.<\/p>
As Bloomberg<\/em> reports<\/a>, Tesla employees were informed that chief information officer Nagesh Saldi, who has held his position for six years, is leaving the automaker.<\/p> The news comes less than a week before Tesla is reportedly set to unveil a long-rumored \"Cybercab<\/a>\" prototype at its (rescheduled<\/a>) robotaxi event in Los Angeles, an event that many hope will answer major questions about the company's risky pivot<\/a> to operating a driverless taxi service.<\/p> Saldi joined Tesla from the computing giant HP in 2012. After a major restructuring at the company in 2018, he was promoted to CIO, a role that is typically responsible for an organization's information and computer technologies.<\/p> As CIO, Saldi reported directly to Musk. One of the latest major projects he was involved in was the expansion of Tesla's data centers in New York<\/a> and Texas<\/a>, according to Bloomberg<\/i>, which are part of the automaker's AI infrastructure to develop its autonomous driving tech, including its Full Self-Driving<\/a> driver assistance system.<\/p> Why Saldi left, however — and whether it was of his own accord or by being fired by his boss Elon Musk — is unclear. Nevertheless, the timing of the move will invite additional scrutiny into the state of the company's leadership, as the ranks of its c-suite dwindle.<\/p> Saldi's departure adds to an alarming number of top execs who have left Tesla this year.<\/p> Three departed in the course of a tumultuous two weeks in April<\/a>: senior vice president Drew Baglino, vice president of public policy Rohan Patel, and vice president of investor relations Martin Viecha, who announced his departure during an earnings call.<\/p> The next month, head of human resources Allie Arabalo also left<\/a>, soon followed by Tesla's head of product launches Rich Otto, who publicly trashed Musk's leadership<\/a> for the brutal layoffs<\/a> he carried out.<\/p> As it stands, Tesla officially lists just three executives: CEO Elon Musk, chief financial officer Vaibhav Taneja, and senior vice president of automotive Tom Zhu. For a company with over 100,000 employees, that's strikingly few leaders.<\/p> The seeming leadership crisis comes at what could be a pivotal moment for the company. Sales have slowed<\/a>, but Musk has ramped up his commitment to launching a robotaxi service.<\/p> This is despite many believing that Tesla's autonomous driving tech isn't advanced and reliable enough for the job, as evidenced by the controversies surrounding Full Self-Driving<\/a>. The challenge is only heightened by the hurdle of rolling out an entirely new vehicle to serve as the taxis.<\/p> Good thing, then, that Musk has surrounded himself with plenty of people to advise him. Right?<\/p> More on Tesla: <\/strong>Tesla Won't Have Much to Show at \"Light on Details\" Robotaxi Event, Investor Warns<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post Top Tesla Exec Abandons Ship Just Days Before Major \"Robotaxi\" Event<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> Continued here: Peace Out One of Tesla's long-serving executives is abandoning ship. Continue reading Management Massacre<\/h2>
All the CEO's Men<\/h2>
Top Tesla Exec Abandons Ship Just Days Before Major \"Robotaxi\" Event<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"