Siry Resigns

graham · 12-02-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

I have resigned my position with Tesla Motors due to some disagreements in strategy. I believe that in such a situation it’s best for a senior executive to part ways with the company so as to not get in the way.

I’ve stayed until now to help manage the transition, including recruiting a very strong successor to lead Sales, Marketing & Service going forward. I am sure he will do a great job.

vfx · 12-02-2008, 10:24 AM

I am cautiously optimistic.

thejump · 12-02-2008, 10:30 AM

It's all falling apart like a flimsy house of cards.

graham · 12-02-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

I am cautiously optimistic.

I worry a bit. Darryl has been a very enthusiastic supporter of Tesla's products. I worry what "disagreements in strategy" could be so great that he resigns. If this just means "I got in a fight with Elon, but it is pretty much business as usual" I won't worry too much. However if it is something like: "We have decided to sell ourselves to Chrysler" it may be more worrisome.

It was picked up by AutoBlog:

BREAKING: Tesla Motors SVP Darryl Siry switches off! - Autoblog

doug · 12-02-2008, 11:05 AM

Yeah, I'm a little concerned too... For better or worse, Siry had become the public face of Tesla other than Elon. Despite his overly dramatic exit from this forum, I appreciated that he was a car guy, had some internet savvy, and was relatively accessible.

doug · 12-02-2008, 11:10 AM

Looks like his replacement is based in the UK at the London office. I didn't even know they had a London office.

Tesla Motors - our company

Quote:

Michael van der Sande
Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and Service

Michael van der Sande oversees sales, marketing and service. He spent 12 years at Harley-Davidson, most recently as vice president and managing director for operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where he oversaw more than 370 dealerships in nearly three dozen countries. He served in several other executive positions for the iconic American motorcycle company, including director of strategic planning at corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to Harley, van der Sande held various marketing and dealer development roles at Nissan Europe and Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars.

Van der Sande is a Dutch native who speaks four languages fluently and has lived in seven countries. Van der Sande, whose grandparents drove in the famed Monte Carlo Rally in the French Riviera, holds a racing license and has been fascinated by classic and sports cars since childhood. He lives in the United Kingdom and works in Tesla’s London office and the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters.

Cobos · 12-02-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

Yeah, I'm a little concerned too... For better or worse, Siry had become the public face of Tesla other than Elon. Despite his overly dramatic exit from this forum, I appreciated that he was a car guy, had some internet savvy, and was relatively accessible.

For a VP of sales, services AND marketing he was pretty darn accessible. There were issues he could've handled better but he was a good face for Tesla. A lot better than Elon is, and I just hope this new guy can fill his shoes...... I'm finding this pretty ominous...

Cobos

doug · 12-02-2008, 01:10 PM

BREAKING: Tesla SVP Darryl Siry resigns! - AutoblogGreen

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham

I worry a bit. Darryl has been a very enthusiastic supporter of Tesla's products. I worry what "disagreements in strategy" could be so great that he resigns.

Autoblog seems to suggest that the disagreements could stem from the changes announced mid October. If true, I think that's fairly understandable. I wouldn't suspect anything more drastic.

At any rate, it looks like they've hired an experienced replacement:

Tesla Motors Names New Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and Service - MarketWatch

Quote:

Tesla CEO and Product Architect Elon Musk praised Siry's contribution to Tesla and emphasized that Siry had played an important role in establishing Tesla's brand identity in the past two years. For the next phase of Tesla's growth, the company needs van der Sande's industry expertise and detailed understanding of regional market nuances, Musk emphasized. Van der Sande joins the executive staff as Tesla prepares to open new showrooms and service centers throughout the United States and Europe.

The person taking over local PR and internet communications appears to be former AP correspondent Rachel Konrad seen here and making blog comments here.

DDB · 12-02-2008, 01:23 PM

Although this would never happen...smartest move by Tesla IMO is to rehire Martin. They couldn't put him as THE PR guy, but certainly they could let him rotate tires or do some mundane task...

-Dave

vfx · 12-02-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDB

Although this would never happen...smartest move by Tesla IMO is to rehire Martin. They couldn't put him as THE PR guy, but certainly they could let him rotate tires or do some mundane task...

-Dave

I suggest an custom title like Tesla's EVangilist or The Oracle.

He goes out as the face of our electric future. He can do TV -news, daytime talk, cable, Print -press, books and web. He is an engaging affable face that would be the go-to guy for the entire world of electric transportation. Tesla should pay him for this but a consortium of EV makers could also combine monies to get him the big $$.