Tesla announces fourth round of layoffs in four weeks

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - 2019/09/14: An American automotive and energy company that specialises in electric car manufacturing Tesla logo seen in Gothenburg. (Photo by Karol Serewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Karol Serewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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On Sunday night, even more Tesla workers learned they were no longer employed by the company as it engaged in yet another round of layoffs. Multiple former employees posted on LinkedIn and other sites to relay the news that they were no longer with the company.


"Well, tonight I have learned that my nearly 8 year journey leading and designing Service products at Tesla has come to an end," wrote one former employee.


"For the past Month, most Tesla Employees have had the ritual of keeping a close eye on one's personal email on Sundays and to check it before heading into work on Monday, as layoffs have been increasing. I was spared last October when we had layoffs and also for the last 3 weeks of layoffs. However, I too received the dreaded 'Tesla Employment Update' email today," wrote another.


The layoffs began last month, ahead of the release of Tesla's financial results for Q1 2024, which showed a steep decline in profits and profitability. At the time, Musk said that he planned to reduce Tesla's "headcount by more than 10 [percent] globally." In addition to declining sales, Tesla is now sitting on a huge glut of inventory as each quarter it builds tens of thousands more cars than it can sell.


The layoffs may be closer to 20 percent by the time all is said and done. Following the initial round, Musk then dismissed some of its recruiters a few days later.


The following week was even more tumultuous. Reportedly angry with the executive in charge of Superchargers, Rebecca Tinucci, and her failure to cut more of her team, Musk laid her off, as well as her entire 500-strong team. Gone, too, was the new vehicle development team, despite a lack of new models in Tesla's pipeline.


The latest round of layoffs has affected service advisers, engineers, and HR.