Tesla is dropping considered one of its prime car program managers who has been behind automobiles like Mannequin S and Mannequin X, Cybertruck, and extra.
David Zhang is a chemical engineer with a background in enterprise evaluation who joined Tesla again in 2015 to guide “enterprise operations and finance for the automaker’s powertrain methods.”
Nonetheless, he was rapidly promoted to guide full car applications at Tesla.
In line with his LinkedIn profile, he has been in command of the Mannequin S and Mannequin X applications since 2018.
He was in command of the Mannequin Y program from 2020 to 2021, the crucial interval of its launch.
Zhang was additionally in command of the Cybertruck program for a 12 months between July 2021 to June 2022.
Lastly, he additionally had a fast stint because the “Roadster and Subsequent Era Car Program Supervisor” from February 2023 till earlier this 12 months.
This weekend, Zhang introduced that he’s leaving Tesla:
Thanks and (belated) farewell, Tesla.
It has been a privilege and an honor to have devoted myself to the mission.
As famous, his farewell is “belated.” Though Zhang confirmed his departure from Tesla this weekend, he additionally up to date his LinkedIn profile to indicate he hasn’t been at Tesla since July.
Earlier this 12 months, Tesla had a large spherical of layoffs that included cuts in nearly each division. Between April and July, many individuals had been let go, together with engineering leaders, and others left on their very own following an ethical drop on the firm.
Zhang’s more moderen departure comes as we additionally lately discovered of Tesla’s Chief Data Officer and considered one of its prime European executives leaving the automaker final week.
