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Elon Musk reportedly fires Tesla’s top sales exec

Elon Musk has reportedly fired Omead Afshar, Tesla's VP of sales and manufacturing for North America and Europe, amidst declining sales figures. Afshar's departure follows a period of significant sales drops for Tesla and comes after his public support for the rollout of Tesla's robotaxi service. No specific reasons for the termination have been disclosed.

Key points

  • Omead Afshar was fired by Elon Musk as VP responsible for sales and manufacturing.
  • His termination comes after Tesla reported its first annual drop in car sales.
  • Afshar was heavily involved in Tesla's operations and credited with constructing the Austin factory.
  • He faced scrutiny from federal investigators for his involvement in a controversial purchase plan in 2023.
  • Sales fell nearly 28% year-over-year in Europe and 71% in profits during Q1 2025.

Why it matters

  • This situation reflects broader trends in the electric vehicle market, where increasing competition has strained sales.
  • Elon's political activities and public perception may be impacting Tesla’s brand and sales.
  • The rise and fall of top executives in tech companies shows increasing volatility amidst market challenges.

The firing of Afshar highlights Tesla's struggles with sales and leadership stability, signaling potential ongoing challenges in the competitive EV landscape.