In a surprising announcement on Monday, Tesla executives Drew Baglino and Rohan Patel revealed their departure from the electric vehicle and clean energy company. The news comes in the wake of Tesla's announcement regarding laying off over 10% of its workforce. CEO Elon Musk expressed his appreciation for both executives on his social network, X, where he serves as the chief technology officer.

Drew Baglino has been associated with Tesla since its early years, joining as a firmware and electrical engineer in 2006. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks and most recently held the position of senior vice president for powertrain and energy engineering. Reporting directly to Musk, Baglino played a crucial role in battery and vehicle manufacturing, related policy, and transforming Tesla into a global EV manufacturer.

Rohan Patel, on the other hand, joined Tesla in 2016 after serving as a senior advisor to former President Barack Obama on climate and energy matters. Known for his expertise in these areas, Patel contributed significantly to Tesla's goals of sustainability and clean energy.

The departure of these executives comes as Tesla grapples with intensifying competition, particularly from Chinese automakers such as BYD, who offer more affordable electric cars. In response, Tesla has shifted its strategy, prioritizing the development of a "robotaxi" and abandoning plans for a lower-priced electric vehicle, as Reuters recently reported.

In heartfelt posts on the social network X, both Baglino and Patel expressed gratitude for their time at Tesla. Baglino acknowledged the countless talented individuals he worked with, emphasizing his satisfaction in contributing to Tesla's mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. Patel reflected on his remarkable journey, highlighting the hard work of his immigrant parents and his honor in serving both the Obama administration and Tesla.

Elon Musk, in his characteristic style, expressed gratitude to both departing executives for their significant contributions to Tesla's success. He thanked Baglino for his 18 years of service and credited him as one of the company's most valuable supporters. In response to Patel, Musk expressed his appreciation for his efforts, acknowledging the positive impact he made on multiple industries.

Tesla has yet to update its corporate webpage to reflect Baglino's departure. The CEO, in another post on X, stated the need for periodic reorganization and streamlining of the company every five years to prepare for future growth.

At the time of reporting, neither Baglino nor Patel were available for comment.

The departure of these experienced executives raises questions about the potential impact on Tesla's future endeavors and the company's ability to navigate the highly competitive electric vehicle market.