Tesla’s Cybertruck Program Leader Departs Company
The leader of Tesla’s Cybertruck program, Siddhant Awasthi, announced his departure after a notable tenure of over eight years. His exit highlights Tesla’s employee growth model, which has increasingly favored internal promotions over external hires.
Siddhant Awasthi’s Tenure at Tesla
Awasthi joined Tesla straight from school in 2018. He began his career with experience in a hyperloop school program and as an intern. Within two years, he advanced to the position of engineering manager. By 2022, he had progressed to head the Cybertruck program.
Rise to Leadership
- 2018: Awasthi joined Tesla.
- 2020: Promoted to engineering manager.
- 2021: Became senior technical program manager for the Cybertruck.
- Late 2022: Appointed head of the Cybertruck program.
In this capacity, he oversaw the production ramp of the Cybertruck, which has faced significant commercial challenges. Tesla initially aimed for an annual production capacity of 250,000 units but is struggling to achieve even 25,000 sales per year.
Reflections on His Career
Awasthi expressed his mixed emotions regarding his departure in a post on X, stating he faced a challenging decision. He reflected on his journey, highlighting major accomplishments such as contributing to the ramp-up of Model 3 and working at Giga Shanghai. He also noted his recent responsibilities managing both the Cybertruck and Model 3 programs.
Tesla’s Organizational Culture
The departure of Awasthi amidst a series of layoffs and a talent exodus raises questions about Tesla’s internal structure. While Awasthi’s journey is a testament to Tesla’s commitment to promoting from within, the challenges faced by the Cybertruck program cannot be attributed solely to his leadership.
Critics suggest that the program’s failures stem from over-optimism at the highest levels of the company, potentially involving Elon Musk’s vision for the Cybertruck as it evolved from its initial unveiling in 2019 to production in 2023.
Moving forward, Awasthi’s exit may prompt further changes within Tesla’s vehicle program and leadership strategies.
