Peter Rawlinson, Nick Sampson left Tesla before its Model S launch
By Andrew, 16 Jan, 2012. 0 Comments
2012 Tesla Model S Alpha
The departure of Tesla Motors Inc.’s two top executives -- Peter Rawlinson and Nick Sampson -- has resulted to a significant drop in shares. The timing is unfortunate as the electric-car maker’s Model S sedan is scheduled to go on sale just a few months from now. Tesla spokesman Ricardo Reyes confirmed that the two executives left the company earlier this month. Rawlinson served as the vice president and chief engineer while Sampson is the director of vehicle and chassis engineering. Tesla only announced the departures last Friday through Bloomberg.
Shares were reported to have a 19% decrease to $22.79 as of 4 p.m. ET in Nasdaq trading. Reyes said in an e-mail to Automotive News that Rawlinson had accomplished the conceptual and design engineering work on the Model S and then chose to move away to “tend to personal matters in the United Kingdom." Reyes added that by the time of his departure, Sampson has “fully transitioned from any Model S activities." As of last Friday, the company's Web site still named Rawlinson as part of the executive team. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an e-mail that Jerome Guillen, who used to be an engineer with Daimler AG, will take on the duties left by Rawlinson.
Meanwhile, Tesla had hired Eric Bach, formerly an executive from Volkswagen AG. Musk said that Bach had supervised VW’s programs on small vehicles. He is also considered an expert at handling high volumes. He will assist in the last step before production of the Model S begins. Bach will be reporting directly to Guillen. It was in 2009 that Rawlinson joined Tesla. He used to work as the chief engineer of sports car maker Group Lotus Plc. He had also served as the head of vehicle engineering at consultancy Corus Automotive. Even if Model S development activities were completed, Tesla is totally engaged in the development of the Model X five-seat crossover that has the same platform and powertrains as the Model S.
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