A growing number of Tesla employees, existing and former, are calling for CEO Elon Musk to step down, as the electric vehicle giant faces a deepening demand crisis. Concerns have mounted internally after Tesla’s sales declined for the first time in a decade in 2024 and dropped even further in the first quarter of 2025.
Despite new product releases and claims of strategic refocusing, employees say the real issue isn’t production or product quality—it’s leadership. According to internal voices, the company is struggling to sell vehicles, especially the newly revamped Model Y, which continues to accumulate in inventory.
More and more employees are speaking up against Musk’s public behaviour and damaging political stances that are tarnishing the Tesla brand. They argue that his personal controversies are alienating customers and overshadowing the company’s primary goal of accelerating the transition to electric mobility.
An open letter from current and former employees outlines their concerns, stating that Musk’s actions have made it harder to maintain consumer trust. The group has openly urged the board to consider new leadership, emphasising that the company’s future now hinges on moving beyond Musk’s influence.
The pushback has come at a cost. One of the employees behind the letter, who had been with Tesla for over five years, was recently terminated because he allegedly organised and published the letter. Social- media accounts sharing the content have also been suspended, prompting further backlash about free expression under Musk’s leadership.
As Tesla asks some Texas Gigafactory workers to take a week off due to slow production, the message from employees is clear: Tesla’s crisis isn’t in its cars—it’s at the top.
