Tesla Motors (TSLA.US) announced the departure of Raj Jegannathan, a senior executive with 13 years of service, on Monday. Jegannathan, who served as Vice President overseeing information technology, AI infrastructure, commercial applications, and information security, described his time at the company as "an evolving journey." Last year, he took over leadership of the electric vehicle maker's sales team following the dismissal of North American sales head Troy Jones.

Tesla currently faces significant headwinds, with core automotive sales continuing to decline and brand reputation being impacted by multiple factors. The aging electric vehicle lineup is struggling to meet market demands, while consumers are showing strong resistance to CEO Elon Musk's provocative political statements, his involvement with the Trump administration, and his support for far-right figures and parties worldwide.

Neither Tesla nor Jegannathan has provided immediate comment on the departure. Recent financial reports reveal a 3% year-over-year decline in Tesla's revenue for 2025, marking the first annual decrease on record. The company now faces dual pressures: revitalizing electric vehicle sales to reverse the downturn while delivering on long-promised autonomous driving systems and vehicles capable of operating without human intervention.