Tesla Loses Two Key Executives as EV Maker Pivots to Robotaxis

In a significant blow to Tesla, the company's best-selling Model Y program manager, Emmanuel Lamacchia, announced his departure last month after nearly 8 years with the electric vehicle maker. Lamacchia's exit came just hours after the head of Tesla's Cybertruck program, Siddhant Awasthi, also said he was leaving the company.

Lamacchia, who joined Tesla in 2018, had spent over 4 years overseeing the production and international rollout of the Model Y across multiple factories. Awasthi, who started his career at Tesla as an intern 8 years ago, played a key role in bringing the Cybertruck to market and recently took over the Model 3 program.

The departures mark the latest in a series of high-profile exits from Tesla as the automaker shifts its focus toward robotaxis and AI-driven projects. Over the past year, the company has lost several senior program managers, including Daniel Ho, credited with the Model 3 launch, and David Zhang, who oversaw the Model S and X programs.

Tesla's pivot comes as the company posted record deliveries in the third quarter, driven by a rush of U.S. buyers trying to take advantage of a $7,500 tax credit before it expired on September 30. However, analysts expect a sharp slump in the fourth quarter as the incentive for EV purchases vanishes.