Sources confirmed Friday that David Lau, Tesla Inc.’s vice president of software engineering, has told colleagues he’s stepping down.
After nearly 13 years with the electric carmaker, including seven as VP, Lau’s exit shakes up a key leadership role at a challenging time for the company. Neither Tesla nor Lau responded to requests for comment.
Tesla's VP of Software Engineering, David Lau, has resigned.
David Lau's main contribution at Tesla was building and expanding a world-class software engineering system, promoting the seamless integration of vehicle software, cloud services, and manufacturing systems.
It seems…
— TeslaMing 💡 (@justnow1907) April 5, 2025Lau’s team drove critical software ops, from infotainment and security to over-the-air updates, plus cloud and factory systems. A rare exec to join CEO Elon Musk in the spotlight, he hyped Tesla products like the revamped Model 3 in 2023 while Musk juggled Twitter (now X).
His departure’s cause remains unclear, but it lands as Tesla battles storm: a 13% Q1 sales drop, Trump’s auto tariffs, an ageing lineup, and consumer pushback over Musk’s right-wing ties and government cuts via the Department of Government Efficiency.
🚗💻🔧 Tesla’s Longtime Software VP David Lau to Step Down After 12 Years at EV Maker
Tickers of interest: $TSLA
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— PiQ (@PiQSuite) April 4, 2025The news caps a brutal week. Tesla stock crashed 10% Friday in New York, part of a 44% slide from its December 17 peak after Trump’s election win. Protests flared in the U.S. and Europe over Musk’s politics, while analysts slashed forecasts.
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Lau’s 2023 Investor Day appearance alongside Musk aimed to calm investors amid the ongoing X saga. His departure creates a void as Tesla strives to recover in a turbulent EV market.
