Tesla loses another manager to layoffs – but this one quit due to morale
The Tesla layoff saga continues, with a manager leaving the company after 7 years. But this time, the manager wasn’t laid off, but rather left on his own volition due to the effect that layoffs had on morale.
It seems like every few days there’s another notice of new layoffs at Tesla. It started with Tesla laying off “more than 10%” of its global workforce in mid-April, a layoff round which had been rumored for some time.
In the wake of that first announcement, we’ve heard of many entire teams that have been cut, many seemingly for rather petty reasons.
Tesla’s entire ad team was cut just a few months after being formed because CEO Elon Musk said the ads were “too generic.” And Tesla’s entire supercharging team felt Musk’s wrath after its standout head, Rebecca Tinucci, apparently did not satisfy Musk’s desire for more cuts – so instead, he axed the entire team, despite it being one of the most-successful within the company.
Tesla also laid off several workers in software and service earlier this week, despite service still being a necessary department to grow as more Tesla vehicles hit the road and continue to age.
The layoffs haven’t just included rank-and-file employees, but many high-ranking executives, leading observers to notice that Musk seems to be trying to isolate himself at the top. Currently, Tesla only has one C-level executive other than Musk himself listed on its corporate governance page – CFO Vaibhav Taneja, who was elevated to that role in September. Tom Zhu is still listed as head of automotive, despite Electrek reporting that he’s been demoted back to head of China earlier this week.
The layoffs are affecting morale, with many employees wondering when the bleeding will stop and if their division might be next to fall to the CEO’s frantic whims. And observers can’t help but wonder why Musk is continuing to take such destructive actions to his own company.
The low morale associated with these layoffs claimed one victim this week, as a Tesla manager decided to leave the company amid the chaos, saying that Tesla “has taken its pound of flesh.”
Rich Otto, head of product launches, resigns from Tesla
Rich Otto was the Head of Product Launches at Tesla, having worked at Tesla for 7 years and previously working at Faraday Future.
Otto started in Tesla’s communications team, working with Tesla’s fleet of vehicles for press and reviewers, and went on to manage that team. He was the person responsible for getting cars to tech reviewers.
After that, Otto moved on to be the head of product launches, acting as the program manager for Tesla’s launch events. He managed the events for the first deliveries of Model S Plaid, Model Y and Cybertruck, and Tesla’s Cyber Rodeo at Gigafactory Texas. He also worked on other aspects of Tesla’s customer-facing communications.
Otto said in a LinkedIn post that he loved the collaborative working environment within Tesla, and most of all loved the people working there.
But now, with the effects of the layoffs on morale, not only are some of the “great people” formerly working at Tesla no longer there (like Daniel Ho, head of Vehicle Programs, who worked with Otto on vehicle launches but was laid off alongside the supercharging team), but those still working there are wondering what the path forward is. In his post, Otto said it’s “hard to see the long-game” of these decisions.
Why leave? It’s a company I love and that has given me so much, but has also taken its pound of flesh.
Great companies are made up of equal parts great people and great products, and the latter are only possible when its people are thriving. The recent layoffs that are rocking the company and its morale have thrown this harmony out of balance and it’s hard to see the long-game. It was time for a change.
-Rich Otto, Former Head of Product Launches at Tesla, on LinkedIn
Otto says that he sent his resignation last week, and that he’s going to take some time off before figuring out what to do next.
Electrek’s Take
We’ve said time and time again that the nature of how Tesla is conducting these layoffs would affect morale, and this is just one example of a high-ranking veteran employee who decided they’d had enough.
Maybe some will consider this a good thing, because if headcount reduction is the most important thing for Tesla right now, then getting people to leave voluntarily can only help in the headcount reduction goal.
However, a company should have a more structured method to its layoffs. This does not seem to be an example of an employee who already had bad morale leaving – it’s an example of an employee whose morale was negatively affected by the chaotic actions of current management, and seemingly unending rounds of layoffs, responding and thinking that he could do better elsewhere away from the unnecessary stress being imposed on everyone in the company by the CEO himself.
If the goal of layoffs is to eliminate low performers, this isn’t how you do it. And if the goal is to eliminate those who already have bad morale, making employees’ morale worse is not the way to do it.
As a contrast, we also saw VW undertake some layoffs in Germany at the start of this month, and that hasn’t led to nearly as chaotic a situation within that company.
Instead of firing entire teams because of personality conflicts with their successful leaders, VW offered contract buyouts to its workers. This means that low-morale workers, or workers close to retirement, can depart on good terms. And current workers can remain secure in their jobs, thus affecting overall morale a lot less (and maybe even positively, as low-morale workers are likely the first to take the buyouts).
And VW still gets its desired money savings from trimming headcount. But it doesn’t have to deal with the poor PR of chaotic layoffs, or of post-employment chaos like sending incorrect severance packages and having no idea which suppliers they’re working with, as Tesla has.
Maybe it would be good for Musk to take some notes from a real CEO, especially while he’s currently trying to convince shareholders to give him $55 billion – enough to pay the 14,000+ employees he’s laid off six-figure salaries for ~40 years – amidst the chaos his part-time management is causing.
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Environment
Sunreef Yachts introduces ‘Double Happiness’ – its first 100-foot solar electric ‘supercat’
Sustainable boatbuilder Sunreef Yachts has unveiled another stunning solar electric catamaran, or “supercat,” which it is calling “Double Happiness.” This fully-electric yacht is 100 feet, Sunreef’s longest to date.
As we’ve pointed out in the past, Sunreef Yachts has been pushing the boundaries of sustainable marine travel since 2002. Over that time, the Polish boatbuilder launched the world’s first 74-foot luxury oceangoing catamaran with a flybridge.
Over twenty years later, hundreds of Sunreef Yachts can be seen traversing waters worldwide, showcasing the company’s lineup of sustainable luxury catamarans, all-electric propulsion, and advanced solar panels it calls “solar skin.”
Over the years, we’ve highlighted some of Sunreef’s solar-electric catamarans, ranging in length from 40 to 100 meters, including the Eco Explorer and the 80 Power Eco. Today, Sunreef has introduced its newest addition to its all-electric lineup: a 100-foot catamaran named “Double Happiness.”
Sunreef’s newest electric yacht boasts length and power
According to Sunreef Yachts, the new Double Happiness is its first all-electric 100-foot yacht to combine cruising and eco-technology. This 100 Sunreef Power Eco supercat is propelled by four 180 kW electric motors and powered by a massive 990 kWh battery pack onboard.
There’s also the option for range extension via two generator sets (350 kW at 622 V DC). Additionally, rooftop solar panels (12 kWp) help power some of the onboard electronics. The result is a 16-passenger super catamaran that can accommodate up to ten guides across five en-suites. Given its size, the all-electric 100 Sunreef Power Eco yacht offers vast and luxurious spaces as well as quiet, secluded areas. Sunreef Yachts Founder and CEO, Francis Lapp, spoke:
The first models of the 100 Sunreef Power were a revolution, they offered unbelievable amounts of space, comfort, proximity with the sea, and seaworthiness. With this 100 Sunreef Power Eco, named Double Happiness, we take the 100 Sunreef Power to the next level. Now, this superyacht is able to navigate in full silence, no vibrations, no fumes, fostering a better connection with the sea and superior energy efficiency.
The 100 Sunreef Power Eco joins the boatbuilder’s growing lineup of quiet, emission-free solar-electric catamarans that are not only sustainable but also ultra-luxurious and well-crafted.
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GM may have decided to pull the plug on the forward-looking Chevy Brightdrop electric van a few months ago, but don’t let that stop you, but don’t let that fool you. Right now might be the best time ever to get your hands on one.
SKIP THE STORY: jump right to the deals (trusted affiliate link).
It’s hard to overstate how good the deals on Chevy’s Brightdrop got while GM was still trying to build up demand for its fleet-focused van, and now that the company has decided to stop production, the deals have gotten even better, with a newly announced $699 lease for 39 mo. with $2,999 down through January 2nd — and that’s before you factor in an additional $3,000 discount reserved for Costco Executive Members!
Despite that, I’ve heard more than one fleet manager express hesitation at the thought of adding a discontinued product to their fleet, even if it is a killer discount. To them, I offer the following, model-agnostic rebuttal:
Legacy brands support their products
Companies like GM aren’t going anywhere soon, and neither are the customers they’ve spent millions of dollars acquiring over the past several decades. They’ll keep building parts and offering service and maintenance on vehicles like the Brightdrop for at least a decade — not least of which because they have to!
GM sells each Brightdrop with a minimum 8 year/100,000 mile warranty on the battery and other key components, which can be extended either through GM itself or through reputable third-party companies like Xcelerate Auto for seven more.
There are precious few large fleets out there looking at 15 year, 200-plus thousand mile vehicle replacement cycles. For those that are, however, all indications so far are that the vehicle’s battery health and general performance will still be well within usable limits.
So, yes: parts longevity and manufacturer support will be there (something I’d be less confident about with a startup like Rivian or Bollinger, for example), but there’s more.
Section 179 and local incentives
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 gutted America’s energy independence goals and ensuring its auto industry would fall even further behind the Chinese in the EV race, but the loss of Section 45W wasn’t the only change written into the IRS’ rulebook. Section 179, an immediate expense reduction that business owners can take on depreciable equipment assets, has been made significantly more powerful for 2025.
The section 179 expense deduction is limited to such items as cars, office equipment, business machinery, and computers. This speedy deduction can provide substantial tax relief for business owners who are purchasing startup equipment.
The revised Section 179 tax credit (or, more accurately, expense reduction) allows for a 100% deduction for equipment purchases has doubled to $2.5 million, with a phase-out kicking in at $4 million of capital investments that drops to zero at $6.5 million. That credit and can be applied to new and used vehicles, as well as charging infrastructure, battery energy storage systems, specialized tools, and more (as long as they’re new to you).
What’s more, with regional incentives like the up to $15,000 off a new medium-duty van available from Illinois utility ComEd, the net cost of GM’s $699 promo lease drops to ~$315/mo., and there is still state money out there, as well, depending on where you live.
All of which is to say: don’t let a little thing like GM discontinuing the Brightdrop convince you to skip it. If you do that, the bean counters that killed off the Buick Grand National, GMC Syclone, and Pontiac Fiero win.
SOURCE | IMAGES: GM Envolve.
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US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data released on November 25 and reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign reveal that, during the first nine months of 2025 and for the past year, solar and battery storage have dominated growth among competing energy sources, while fossil fuels and nuclear power have stagnated.
Solar set new records in September
EIA’s latest “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through September 30, 2025), once again confirms that solar is the fastest-growing source of electricity in the US.
In September alone, electrical generation by utility-scale solar (>1 megawatt (MW)) ballooned by well over 36.1% compared to September 2024, while “estimated” small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar PV increased by 12.7%. Combined, they grew by 29.9% and provided 9.7% of US electrical output during the month, up from 7.6% a year ago.
Moreover, generation from utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic systems expanded by 35.8%, while that from small-scale systems rose by 11.2% during the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The combination of utility-scale and small-scale solar increased by 29.0% and produced a bit over 9.0% (utility-scale: 6.85%; small-scale: 2.16%) of total US electrical generation for January-September, up from 7.2% a year earlier.
And for the third consecutive month, utility-scale solar generated more electricity than US wind farms: by 4% in July, 15% in August, and 9% in September. Including small-scale systems, solar has outproduced wind for five consecutive months and by over 40% in September.
Wind leads among renewables
Wind turbines across the US produced 9.8% of US electricity in the first nine months of 2025 – an increase of 1.3% compared to the same period a year earlier and 79% more than that produced by US hydropower plants.
During the first nine months of 2025, electrical generation from wind plus utility-scale and small-scale solar provided 18.8% of the US total, up from 17.1% during the first three quarters of 2024.
Wind and solar combined provided 15.1% more electricity than did coal during the first nine months of this year, and 9.8% more than the US’s nuclear power plants. In fact, as solar and wind expanded, nuclear-generated electricity dropped by 0.1%.
Renewables are now only second to natural gas
The mix of all renewables (wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) produced 8.7% more electricity in January-September than they did a year ago, providing 25.6% of total US electricity production compared to 24.2% 12 months earlier.
Renewables’ share of electrical generation is now second to only that of natural gas, which saw a 3.8% drop in electrical output during the first nine months of 2025.
Solar + storage have dominated 2025
Between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, utility-scale solar capacity grew by 31,619.5 MW, while an additional 5,923.5 MW was provided by small-scale solar. EIA foresees continued strong solar growth, with an additional 35,210.9 MW of utility–scale solar capacity being added in the next 12 months.
Strong growth was also experienced by battery storage, which grew by 59.4% during the past year, adding 13,808.9 MW of new capacity. EIA also notes that planned battery capacity additions over the next year total 22,052.9 MW.
Wind also made a strong showing during the past 12 months, adding 4,843.2 MW, while planned capacity additions over the next year total 9,630.0 MW (onshore) plus 800.0 MW (offshore).
On the other hand, natural gas capacity increased by only 3,417.1 MW and nuclear power added 46.0 MW. Meanwhile, coal capacity plummeted by 3,926.1 MW and petroleum-based capacity fell by an additional 606.6 MW.
Thus, during the past year, renewable energy capacity, including battery storage, small-scale solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass, ballooned by 56,019.7 MW while that of all fossil fuels and nuclear power combined actually declined by 1,095.2 MW.
The EIA expects this trend to continue and accelerate over the next 12 months. Utility-scale renewables plus battery storage are projected to increase by 67,806.1 MW (a forecast for small-scale solar is not provided). Meanwhile, natural gas capacity is expected to increase by only 3,835.8 MW, while coal capacity is projected to decrease by 5,857.0 MW, and oil capacity is anticipated to decrease by 5.8 MW. EIA does not project any new growth for nuclear power in the coming year.
SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director Ken Bossong said:
The Trump Administration’s efforts to jump-start nuclear power and fossil fuels are not succeeding. Capacity additions from solar, wind, and battery storage continue to dramatically outpace those from gas, coal, and nuclear, and by growing margins.
Read more: EIA: Solar + storage dominate, fossil fuels stagnate to August 2025
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Your personalized heat pump quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – *ad
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