Tesla’s Top Sales Executive Removed as Growth Slows Down
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly dismissed Omead Afshar, the company’s vice president overseeing sales and manufacturing across North America and Europe, according to Forbes. Afshar, once one of Musk’s closest advisors, has parted ways with Tesla, although neither Musk, Afshar, nor Tesla have publicly commented on the situation.
Tesla’s Sales Decline and Leadership Shakeup
Afshar’s exit comes at a challenging time for Tesla, as the electric vehicle maker faces its first annual sales decline since ramping up mass production over a decade ago. In 2024, Tesla sold fewer vehicles than in 2023, signaling a rare setback for the automaker.
Despite Afshar’s low public profile, his contributions within Tesla were significant. Since joining in 2017, he steadily climbed the ranks, notably playing a key role in establishing Tesla’s massive factory in Austin, Texas, a project Musk himself credited him for. Afshar had also expressed enthusiasm for Tesla’s recent innovations, such as the rollout of the robotaxi service in Austin, posting support on social media as recently as late June. He wrote,
Absolutely historic day for Tesla,” and added, “Thank you, Elon, for pushing us all!
Controversies and Executive Departures
However, his tenure was not without controversy. In 2022, Afshar came under internal investigation for allegedly attempting to purchase specialized materials for a glass building Musk was reportedly planning. This matter attracted scrutiny from the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission starting in 2023.
During this period, Afshar also worked with SpaceX and was involved with Musk’s social media platform X. In late 2024, following the departure of another key executive to China, Afshar was promoted to his vice president role.
Adding to Tesla’s leadership shakeup, Bloomberg also revealed that Jenna Ferrua, Tesla’s North America HR director, has left the company. Tesla has not yet commented on her departure.
Tesla’s sales struggles have been compounded by Musk’s political engagements and broader market challenges. The company’s profits dropped 71% year-over-year in Q1 2025, while European sales declined nearly 28% in May. Investors and industry watchers await Tesla’s upcoming global delivery and financial reports due next week and mid-July respectively.
As Tesla navigates this turbulent phase, the departure of a longtime executive like Afshar underscores the pressures facing one of the world’s most prominent electric carmakers.
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