Siddhant Awasthi, head of Tesla’s Cybertruck program, announced his departure after eight years with the company, having led engineering, development, and production efforts since starting as an intern. His exit highlights ongoing leadership changes at Tesla amid performance challenges.
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Tesla Cybertruck program leadership shift: Awasthi oversaw product strategy, supply chain, and quality for the Cybertruck and recently the Model 3 program.
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Multiple executive departures in 2025, including leaders of Optimus, sales, battery tech, and Dojo projects, signal internal transitions at Tesla.
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Tesla’s Q3 2025 deliveries hit records due to expiring EV tax credits, but October sales in Germany dropped 50% year-over-year to 750 units, per federal data.
Tesla Cybertruck leader Siddhant Awasthi departs after 8 years, amid executive exits and sales slowdowns. Explore leadership changes and Musk’s massive compensation plan. Stay informed on EV market shifts—read now for key insights.
What Led to Siddhant Awasthi’s Departure from Tesla’s Cybertruck Program?
Siddhant Awasthi’s departure from Tesla marks the end of an eight-year journey that began as an intern and culminated in leading the Cybertruck program. He announced his exit late Sunday, reflecting on transforming the ambitious project from concept to production reality. Awasthi also recently took over the Model 3 program in July, managing complex operations including supply chain and quality assurance.
How Have Leadership Changes Impacted Tesla’s Cybertruck and Broader Operations?
Awasthi’s tenure involved navigating the Cybertruck from early engineering hurdles to efficient full-scale production, including enhancements in assembly processes and technical solutions. He contributed significantly to the Model 3 production ramp-up, electronics development, wireless architectures, and operations at Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory. In his LinkedIn farewell post, Awasthi described the experience as “delivering the once-in-a-lifetime Cybertruck, all before hitting 30,” emphasizing the thrill of innovation.
This departure is part of a broader wave of executive exits at Tesla in 2025. Milan Kovac, head of the Optimus robotics program, left in June, followed by Omead Afshar, a key lieutenant, weeks later. Troy Jones, vice president of North America sales, departed over the summer, while Vineet Mehta, director of battery technology, stepped down in April. Peter Bannon, who led the Dojo supercomputer project, exited in August after Elon Musk discontinued the initiative. These changes occur as Tesla faces operational pressures, though Awasthi expressed gratitude to Elon Musk, past and present leaders, mentors, and customers for fueling his growth. He highlighted Tesla vehicles as underappreciated complex systems that enhance safety and add real value to users’ lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Role Did Siddhant Awasthi Play in Tesla’s Cybertruck Development?
Siddhant Awasthi led the Cybertruck program, overseeing engineering, product strategy, supply chain management, and quality checks. Starting as an intern eight years ago, he guided the project through technical challenges to production, also contributing to Model 3 efforts and Gigafactory operations, as detailed in his LinkedIn profile.
How Is Tesla’s Sales Performance Trending After the EV Tax Credit Expiration?
Tesla achieved record vehicle deliveries in Q3 2025, driven by U.S. buyers rushing for the $7,500 EV tax credit before its September 30 end. However, analysts forecast a Q4 slowdown without the incentive. In Germany, October sales fell to 750 units from 1,607 last year, per federal transport authority data, representing just 15,595 year-to-date sales amid a 40% market rise to 434,627 battery-electric vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- Executive Turnover at Tesla: Awasthi’s exit joins several 2025 departures, potentially signaling shifts in strategy for Cybertruck and other programs.
- Production Achievements: Under Awasthi, Cybertruck advanced from prototype to delivery, boosting efficiency and overcoming engineering obstacles.
- Sales Challenges Ahead: Post-tax credit, monitor Q4 results; Germany’s 50% drop underscores regional hurdles despite overall EV growth.
Conclusion
Siddhant Awasthi’s departure from Tesla’s Cybertruck program underscores a year of significant leadership changes at the company, even as it navigates production successes and market headwinds like the EV tax credit expiration. With Tesla’s Brandenburg facility facing local resistance tied to Elon Musk’s political comments—though analysts deem earnings impact minimal—the firm remains focused on innovation. Looking ahead, Tesla’s ability to meet ambitious targets, including Musk’s newly approved performance-based compensation potentially reaching $1 trillion over a decade through 425 million shares tied to an $85 trillion market cap, will be crucial. As reported by Cryptopolitan, this plan rewards Musk for driving long-term growth. Investors should watch how these transitions influence Tesla’s trajectory in the competitive EV landscape.
Tesla’s Performance Amid Incentives and Regional Variations
Despite Q3 records, Tesla’s global performance shows mixed signals. The expiring U.S. tax credit spurred deliveries, but its absence may temper Q4 results, according to industry analysts. In Germany, where Tesla operates a major assembly plant near Berlin, sales declined sharply in October, dropping more than 50% year-over-year to 750 vehicles, based on data from the federal transport authority as noted by CNBC.
Year-to-date, Germany registered 434,627 new battery-electric vehicles, up nearly 40% from 2024, yet Tesla captured only 15,595 units—half its prior share. Public protests outside showrooms, fueled by Musk’s commentary on German politics, have occurred, but experts assess the financial ripple as limited. Awasthi, in his post, voiced confidence in Tesla’s future, praising its vehicles for life-changing safety and value.
Elon Musk’s Compensation Package and Tesla Valuation
Tesla shareholders recently approved a landmark compensation plan for CEO Elon Musk, potentially worth $1 trillion if the company achieves specific performance milestones over the next decade. This includes 425 million performance-based shares linked to reaching an $85 trillion market cap, as covered by Cryptopolitan. Musk, during visits to Tesla’s Texas headquarters, described shareholder meetings as dynamic events far from “snoozefests.”
Analyst Matt Britzman of Hargreaves Lansdown in London attributes much of Tesla’s $1.4 trillion valuation to the “Musk premium,” driven by expectations of future deliverables beyond current automotive operations. “It’s a $1.4 trillion company… based on expectations of what it can deliver over the next three years,” Britzman stated to the BBC. This package aims to align Musk’s incentives with long-term shareholder value, reinforcing his pivotal role in Tesla’s vision.
