Tesla Motors CEO Replaced by Elon Musk, Layoffs Expected
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 10.15.08

Another Victim of the Credit Crunch?
It's not a 100% official yet, but a few sources are reporting that something big is happening at Tesla Motors, makers of the electric Roadster who have recently announced a new $250 million manufacturing plant in San Jose.
Layoffs, Elon Musk Back at the Wheel as CEO
What we know so far is that Ze'ev Drori is apparently out as CEO, and that Elon Musk (who's also busy sending rockets into orbit with his other company, SpaceX) is replacing him. Autocar also says that "100 staff" would be laid off, representing more than half of Tesla's workforce. Read on for more.
Update: Tesla Motors Breaking News: Model S to be Delayed, Unknown Number of Layoffs, Elon Musk CEO
British tech mag The Register is claiming that this has been confirmed:
A Tesla representative confirmed the moves to the Reg this afternoon. It appears that Mr Drori will remain at Tesla, assuming the title "vice chairman" and remaining on the board, while Mr Musk assumes even greater day-to-day control of the firm.
But that the number of people laid off might be smaller than 100. Elon Musk is expected to give more details on the company's blog. Nothing yet, though.
Via AutoCar, The Register
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I hope this won't jeopardize the San Jose factory. I really want a Model S!
As I mentioned in an earlier post today, I had a chance to visit the Telsa showroom in Los Angeles on Santa Monica Boulevard near the 405 Freeway.
Very cool place. I sat in the silver one at the door and saw one of the red ones used in the photo shoots. I saw the one they tested in extreme cold and in Death Valley. I hope the company does well.
vsk
I love these cars. Despite the layoff news everywhere, I still see thousands of high paying jobs posted on job sites -
http://www.linkedin.com (networking for professionals)
http://www.indeed.com (aggregated listings)
http://www.realmatch.com (jobs matched to your skills)
Good luck to those that need jobs!
people say sarah palin picked some bad names. These guys have some interesting names.
"I hope this won't jeopardize the San Jose factory. I really want a Model S!"
I'm with you, but Chrysler should come out with their Lotus based EV, and for less money and better service availability.
Bad news for Tesla IMHO.