Elon Musk Fires Key Executive Omead Afshar from Tesla Leadership
In June 2025, Tesla made headlines again, but not for a new car or breakthrough technology. Instead, it was due to a sudden leadership change. Elon Musk, known for his bold moves and tough calls, fired one of his key executives, Omead Afshar. Afshar was not just any employee. He was a top figure at Tesla, trusted by Musk and involved in major projects, such as the Texas Gigafactory.
This move caught many of us off guard. Why would Musk let go of someone so close to him? What happened behind the scenes? In this article, we’ll explore who Omead Afshar is, why he was fired, and what this decision means for Tesla’s future. It’s a story of power, pressure, and what it’s like to work under one of the world’s most demanding CEOs.
Who Is Omead Afshar?
Afshar began at Tesla in 2017 within Musk’s office. He led major efforts, including the Texas Gigafactory and the rollout of robotaxis. By late 2024, he was vice president for sales and manufacturing in key regions. Known as Musk’s “fixer,” he also briefly moved to SpaceX following a 2022 finance investigation.
Why Did Musk Fire Him?
Tesla is under real pressure:
- Europe has seen five straight months of falling sales, with May down 28% year‑over‑year.
- While electric vehicle registrations in Europe grew by 27%, Tesla experienced a sharp decline of 45% during the same period.
- Tesla’s sales in China dropped by 15% during the month of May.
Afshar was leading efforts to reverse these declines. When results didn’t improve, Musk moved swiftly.
Elon Musk’s political actions, particularly in Europe, have started to affect Tesla’s public image, leading to protests and legal issues in France.
Reactions Inside Tesla
Afshar’s name suddenly vanished from Tesla’s internal directory. HR chief Jenna Ferrua also stepped down during the same period. Some internal sources said the departures came as a surprise. The company has not made a public response yet.
Impact on Markets & Public
- News coverage: Reuters, Business Insider, The Daily Beast, and Times of India highlighted Musk’s decision and Tesla’s steep European sales drop.
- Stock effects: Tesla shares are down ~19–20% in 2025. Weak delivery numbers and Musk’s politics are weighing on investors.
- Brand damage: European drop leads hit hard, Germany down ~50%, Sweden down ~53%, France down ~67% in April, and protests plague Tesla showrooms.
What This Means for Tesla
We’re watching the Q2 delivery results in early July. Analysts say Tesla will likely deliver ~375,000–390,000 vehicles, well below estimates.
Afshar’s exit leaves a gap. His replacement must fix slowing sales and mounting public perception problems, and fast.
Musk’s labor continues. The leadership team is shrinking while challenges stack up. Robotaxi tech is interesting, but core car sales remain critical.
Bottom Line
Omead Afshar’s sudden departure shows just how serious things have become at Tesla. As sales fall and public pressure grows, Elon Musk is making bold moves to stay ahead. The company now faces a critical moment. A new leader must step in and turn things around quicklylespecially in Europe, where the damage is most visible. With Q2 results just around the corner, we’ll soon see if this leadership change helps Tesla bounce back or adds to its growing list of challenges.
FAQS:
Omead Afshar is a former top Tesla executive. He worked closely with Elon Musk. He helped manage big projects like factories and robotaxis before leaving in 2025.
Elon Musk’s leadership style is bold and fast-paced. He pushes his team hard. He expects quick results and isn’t afraid to make big changes when needed.
Elon Musk believes in working very hard, thinking big, and always learning. He says never give up, solve problems, and keep improving every day.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always conduct your research.