Bob was terminated from Tesla Motors on Tuesday after more than four years there- the longest tenure among the current employees in the entire service division of the company. No warning, cause, or explanation. Effective immediately.
Between the two of us, we’ve been close to Tesla and its people in a variety of ways since a tiny group in a San Carlos shop converted a Lotus- so to say we’re stunned doesn’t begin to cut it. It just doesn’t make sense, particularly on the eve of such a crucial product launch.
Processing it all is bittersweet – punctuated by disbelief, intense disappointment, even gallows humor (was he “bricked” or “overly discharged”?) Sadly, that we’re hardly the first to go through this with Tesla makes it seem both better and worse.
But we’re grateful too, for the colleagues and drivers who’ve become friends over the years and who’ve shown their support this week. In some cases we’ve been surprised to see precisely who those people are (and aren’t), and we appreciate you.
And because this was so incredibly unexpected, we’re not sure what will come next. I intend to keep doing what I do, and Bob hopes to continue working with plug-in vehicles, though admittedly there are pragmatic aspects to consider.
More to say in time, no doubt. Until then – to those who know who they are, thank you.
chelsea and Bob
