Tesla Loses Two Model S Executives Before Sedan Makes Debut

[AnOutsider]

I'll eat my hat and YouTube it if it has anything to do with three phase support

[ckessel]

Between the "denial" pic and herding cats thing, that's a bit disconcerting. Elon comes from the software world where schedules are almost hopelessly optimistic and overruns are the norm. If he was in conflict with other management about schedules, odds are much more likely things are behind rather than ahead.

[stopcrazypp]

From the cached version of the exec bios page http://www.teslamotors.com/about/executive-bios:

Peter Rawlinson
Vice President & Chief Engineer for Vehicle Engineering

Prior to Tesla, Peter led vehicle engineering at Corus Automotive, an engineering consultancy specializing in advanced engineering solutions for the global motor industry. Traditional vehicle programs Peter worked on at Corus include the X type, XJ and F-type Jaguars, Land-Rover Freelander and Discovery, Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, BMW 5 Series and Bentley Continental. He also led development of the Think electric vehicle platform, which was done with only 5 engineers in 6 months, while still meeting cost and mass targets. Peter’s design set a new world record for best crash safety performance in the subcompact vehicle class.

Before Corus, Peter served as Chief Engineer of Advanced Engineering at Lotus, where he pioneered the use of advanced aluminum body structures, bonding cast elements with stampings and extrusions, an approach subsequently widely adopted within the industry. Vehicles using this approach include Aston Martins, the new Jaguar XJ, the current Audi A8 and the latest generation of the Audi TT.

Prior to Lotus, Peter was Manager for Advanced Drive-train and Suspension Systems at GKN Technology in the UK. At GKN, he developed an advanced drive-train layout with a forward front drive and axle-line, paving the way for safer and more spatially efficient vehicles only now emerging in the marketplace, such as the Toyota IQ.

Before GKN, Peter was Principal Engineer at Jaguar for almost a decade, responsible for advanced body structure design, layout and packaging, including crashworthiness. He was one of the first to apply computer-aided-design to automotive engineering and was an integral part of the team that advanced the integration of computer-aided-design with computer-aided analytical tools within a simultaneous engineering environment. That same methodology is being applied at Tesla.

Peter is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Imperial College, London.

The other exec, Nick Sampson was a vehicle and chassis engineering supervisor.

It seems both have more involvement in chassis and mechanical engineering than with the connector and electrical side.

[goyogi]

Tesla loses two Model S executives, Elon Musk says it's no big deal -- Engadget

[Robert.Boston]

If I were to hazard a guess (and I'm about to, so so much for that rhetorical florish...)

Given Rawlinson's and Sampson's roles as vehicle/chassis engineering, and assuming arguendo that their departures reflect some internal strife, then I would wager that the disagreement was about the Model X, not the Model S. The Model S is well past the point where Rawlinson/Sampson would have much input (and, consequently, they'd have few potential friction points). But, we are less than a month away from the Model X reveal, where a substantial amount of fundamental engineering must be at the forefront.

[clea]

I agree that if the departure is related to a difference of opinion it is most likely related to the X and not the S ... however we may never know whether it was conflict based or just time for Mr. Rawlinson to move on.

[AnOutsider]

Tesla loses two Model S executives, Elon Musk says it's no big deal -- Engadget

there is no question in my mind that we will start delivering vehicles in July, if not sooner.

Exxxxccellent Smithers.

[WhiteKnight]

I heard the rumor that Rawlinson was out this morning. Looks like it's true. Odd to leave before launch. Looks bad regardless of the reasons.

How did you hear this rumor? Just curious.

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Guys, I think it's much ado about nothing really. Peter Rawlinson was as far away from home (in the UK) as he could get in mainland US -it's a 10-hour nonstop from SFO-LHR. I'd put it down to homesickness. He's not even listed as an insider here: TSLA Insider Roster | Tesla Motors, Inc. Stock - Yahoo! Finance so, not sure how much he was able to cash out before leaving.

Nick Sampson appears to be even further down the totem pole and so, could have left (or been pushed out) for a myriad reasons as happens in many fast-moving startups every so often.

Tesla recovered from the loss of 3 bright engineers/managers in that small plane crash a couple of years ago. It'd not be any different now in my opinion.

[Todd Burch]

I agree that this has near zero impact on the Model S.

Now, if they lost their top manufacturing engineer, then I'd expect some delays...