Key Point Summary – Tesla VP Omead Afshar Fired
- Elon Musk abruptly fired Tesla VP Omead Afshar
- No public reason given for the termination
- Afshar was a top aide and factory builder
- Firing comes amid Tesla’s global sales drop
- Afshar faced prior federal investigations
- HR chief Jenna Ferrua also exits Tesla
- Wall Street watches closely for Q2 delivery numbers
Mysterious Ouster Stuns Silicon Valley
Tesla’s North America and Europe VP of sales and manufacturing, Omead Afshar, has been shown the door. Elon Musk, who hired him as a trusted aide, gave no explanation. Afshar’s abrupt firing has triggered whispers, shock, and speculation across the tech world.
Afshar had posted praise for Musk just days ago. “Absolutely historic day for Tesla,” he wrote online after a robotaxi test launch. By week’s end, he was gone.
He wasn’t just another executive. Afshar helped build the massive Tesla Gigafactory in Austin. He was one of Musk’s few inner-circle operatives.
Tesla VP Omead Afshar Fired: Sales Collapse Adds Pressure
Tesla’s problems have been piling up. Sales are shrinking. Profits plunged 71% in Q1. European numbers in May were down almost 30%. For the first time since Tesla began mass production, it is selling fewer cars year-over-year.
The pressure is on. Investors want answers. They want leadership. Instead, they got firings.
And not just Afshar. Tesla’s HR director for North America, Jenna Ferrua, is also out. Two top names, gone in the same week.
Afshar’s Rise And Fall
Afshar joined Tesla in 2017. He worked directly in the CEO’s office. He wasn’t flashy but wielded quiet power. Musk once credited him for overseeing the critical Austin factory build.
In 2022, Afshar became the subject of an internal probe. He allegedly helped procure rare building material for Musk’s glass house project. Soon, the DOJ and SEC were knocking.
Ties To Scandal And SpaceX
During that controversy, Afshar moved briefly to SpaceX. Later, he worked on projects for X, Musk’s social platform. But his return to Tesla in 2024 marked a comeback. He was promoted after executive Tom Zhu went back to China.
Now, he’s out. No statement. No farewell. Just silence.
Staff Jitters And Corporate Turmoil
Internally, Tesla staff are rattled. Afshar had allies. He built factories. He helped drive sales. Many fear who might be next.
Meanwhile, Musk’s own political moves continue to haunt the company. His flirtation with Trump may have turned off liberal buyers, especially in Europe. Musk promised to stay out of politics. Sales still slid.
And with Musk owning X, where Afshar last praised him, insiders wonder: Was that post a goodbye? A failed loyalty test?
Wall Street Watching Closely
Tesla’s Q2 delivery figures are due next week. A disappointing report could rattle already-nervous investors. Mid-July earnings will be even more critical.
Tesla’s brand, once bulletproof, looks fragile. Layoffs, firings, falling sales – the shine is fading. Musk needs a win, fast.
Afshar’s exit may be the beginning of a bigger shakeup. Or a desperate move to show action.
Musk Silent As Fallout Grows
Elon Musk has not commented publicly. Not on Afshar. Or Ferrua. Not on the sales plunge. Just silence.
But behind the scenes, his hands are moving fast. Firings. Product delays. Strategy shifts. The Tesla empire may be evolving – or unraveling.
One thing’s certain: Silicon Valley is watching. And so is Wall Street.
The firing of Omead Afshar might be more than an HR decision. It could be a warning shot.
The second quarter ends in days. The future of Tesla may hinge on what those numbers say. Until then, Elon Musk’s empire is holding its breath.