Tesla co-founder gets the boot, "not at all happy" about it

Former Tesla CEO and co-founder Martin Eberhard got a vague demotion to "President of Technology" in August, so perhaps we should've seen it coming, but it looks like he's now been phased out entirely -- which doesn't really point to happy fun times in Tesla land. We're not sure if it has something to do with production delays, personality differences, or maybe that scruffy beard he's been working on, but whatever the reason, Eberhard (or at least his message boarding impostor) isn't too pleased: "I am not at all happy with the way I was treated, and I do not think this was the very best way to handle a transition -- not the best for Tesla Motors, not the best for Tesla's customers (to whom I still feel a strong sense of responsibility), and not for Tesla's investors." He did mention that he'll be available to the new CEO, Ze'ev Drori "should he wish to avail himself of my experience," but he won't be taking on advisory board responsibilities as the company's official statement suggests.

[Via All Things Digital]

[JackDebian @ Dec 7th 2007 9:41AM]

Unfortunately it doesn't seem like anyone cares. :)

[madaudio @ Dec 7th 2007 6:27PM]

I think of that too... but it is sad that most think of c&c before Nikola Tesla, the namesake of both the Car company and the tesla coil, which contrary to c&c, was absolutely harmless to humans. Tesla liked to demonstrate by holding a bare light bulb in his hand and allowing the tesla coil to arc trough (over, technically) him and through the bulb, lighting it. He wanted exactly what our 17" and 19" laptops need: wireless power. Dammit!

[orpheus @ Dec 7th 2007 9:50AM]

Is it sad that every time I see "tesla" I think of C&C Red Alert?

[Rynth @ Dec 7th 2007 10:33AM]

I to, think of a tank with a little bubble thing on top.

Do not be alarmed, fellow geek.

[Daniel @ Dec 7th 2007 9:54AM]

I really really hope this doesn't mean a Tesla Motors hybrid in the future.

(it IS unfortunate if nobody cares, because this car company could do so much for the environment and it's relation to automotive technology.)

[Jon Kelly @ Dec 7th 2007 9:55AM]

According to a FastCompany interview w/ Elon Musk, it sounds like the issue is between the two of them (Musk & Eberhard).

[Rusty @ Dec 7th 2007 10:00AM]

This isn't new. Take a look at the Tucker automobile. Guy comes out with a really inventive automobile that was years ahead of its time. When "the board" got a hold of it, it never saw the light of
day. Same thing will sadly happen to the Tesla car. The idiots running automobile companies these days can't see beyond next years balance sheets.

[matt @ Dec 7th 2007 10:43AM]

I think what really happened is the people at Tesla are starting to find out how the world of automotive manufacturing really works - you can design anything on paper, get quotes up the ying-yang, but actually putting something on the road is *difficult* and requires a lot more engineering time and debug time than most realize. I'm guessing that they didn't either, and were planning on putting a car on the road in a matter of a year or two.

[Jason @ Dec 7th 2007 11:00AM]

Next up:

Tesla cancels electric car production and concentrates on suing everyone for it's patents.

[chadfranz @ Dec 7th 2007 11:30AM]

Damn! I really dug that "Modern Day Cowboy" song.

[JamesR @ Dec 7th 2007 11:36AM]

So much negativity. It could be he'll feel the need to start another company and build an even better car!

If you have the stones to create Tesla you're not just going to shrug and go sit in your rocking chair for the rest of your days.

He'll pop up somewhere else and most likely be working on something very similar.

[Andrew @ Dec 7th 2007 12:04PM]

Problem is to get funding he'll have to give up all kinds of power in his own company again (which is, I assume, what happened here), and the people who hold the seats will be investors interested in the bottom line again, and it'll all happen again.

Of course, I know absolutely no background on this specific case, I'm speaking in kind of generalities. I could be way off with what actually happened.

[TheCow5 @ Dec 7th 2007 12:10PM]

guys a car company cant start with a great design, idea and its first car costing over 100,000$, and have only one car to offer. Yes you will sell some but at the end of the day you business won’t last.
In this case the company is trying to make a profit and it may one day do so but they should not expect to see that for some years and must come out with something other to help the company to stay afloat.

[Mark @ Dec 7th 2007 1:00PM]

Maybe he didn't agree to be bought out by one of the oil companies....

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Dec 7th 2007 1:27PM]

"I only want what's best for the company"
I fail to see how public whining about how fucked up the company is will rally investors, then again, I don't work on Sand Hill...

Now, I also wonder if Ze'ev is part Cluster lizard.

[Keith @ Dec 7th 2007 3:40PM]

This company has the potential, in my short analysis of the actual company, to make a huge change and I think the are going to do it. I can't wait to drive a fast cool looking electric car! Make it affordable for a recent college grad and I am sold!

http://pluginamerica.com/faq.shtml

For all of you doubters most of you just don't know so before you respond read this. It is an FAQ on the idea of electric cars and plug in Hybrids (WHATS THAT? you ask? go read it!)