Posted on 12/02/2008 10:29:32 AM PST by MAD-AS-HELL
Switching Off I have resigned my position with Tesla Motors due to some disagreements in strategy. I believe that in such a situation it’s best for a senior executive to part ways with the company so as to not get in the way.
I’ve stayed until now to help manage the transition, including recruiting a very strong successor to lead Sales, Marketing & Service going forward. I am sure he will do a great job.
Regardless of my personal decision, I think Tesla is an extraordinary company with extraordinary potential. There are a lot of great people there working hard to make a difference. I wish them all the best of luck and success in the future. They deserve it.
So what now?
I have no immediate plans but look forward to exploring various opportunities that I find out there. One thing I have been developing is a business idea in the media/technology space. I am very excited about it but we’ll see where that goes.
I also plan to start blogging occasionally again on my perspectives on the development of the alternative fuel vehicle industry (and cars in general) on this blog and my perspectives on media and marketing on my other blog.
Please feel free to drop me a line at djsiry at gmail dot com or connect with me on Linkedin or Facebook, or twitter.
There are definitely signs, signs, everywhere signs.
The economy in general, and dropping oil prices in particular, are probably the nails in the coffin.
Sweet ‘70’s rock lyrics throw-back!
That was BAAAD!!!
I hope they stay afloat. They have a fine product.
Tesla Motors names new senior vice president of global sales, marketing and service
http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1091
December 2, 2008
Senior Harley-Davidson executive Michael van der Sande joins leading electric vehicle manufacturer to drive growth in the global marketplace
SAN CARLOS, Calif.—Former Harley-Davidson executive Michael van der Sande has joined Tesla Motors as senior vice president for global sales, marketing and service, effective immediately. He replaces Darryl Siry, who resigned to pursue other opportunities.
Van der Sande is the latest executive with deep automotive expertise to join Tesla. Executive Vice President Mike Donoughe, who spent 24 years at Daimler and Chrysler, is overseeing Tesla’s Model S and Roadster programs. Chief Financial Officer Deepak Ahuja was formerly a controller at Ford. Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, former director of design for Mazda North America, is designing the Model S.
Tesla CEO and Product Architect Elon Musk praised Siry’s contribution to Tesla and emphasized that Siry had played an important role in establishing Tesla’s brand identity in the past two years. For the next phase of Tesla’s growth, the company needs van der Sande’s industry expertise and detailed understanding of regional market nuances, Musk emphasized. Van der Sande joins the executive staff as Tesla prepares to open new showrooms and service centers throughout the United States and Europe.
“As director of strategic planning at Harley Davidson’s headquarters and then head of Harley’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operation, Michael helped develop an incredibly strong sense of community among customers – a Harley owner wouldn’t be caught dead on any other brand of motorcycle,” Musk said. “That’s exactly the sense of loyalty we want to inspire for Tesla.”
Van der Sande, 43, joined Harley-Davidson in 1996 and was most recently vice president and managing director for operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, overseeing more than 370 dealerships in nearly three dozen countries. Previously, he served in several executive positions for the iconic American motorcycle company, including director of strategic planning at corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Prior to joining Harley-Davidson, van der Sande held various marketing and dealer development roles at Nissan Europe and Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars.
Van der Sande, a Dutch native who speaks four languages fluently and has lived in seven countries, brings to Tesla extensive knowledge of the European regulatory and consumer market. In the spring, Tesla began taking orders for the all-electric, zero-emission Roadster in Europe, and Tesla will begin EU deliveries in spring 2009. The company expects to sell roughly half of its next model, the all-electric, zero-emission Model S sedan, in Europe. Tesla also plans to expand to Asia.
Van der Sande, whose grandparents drove in the famed Monte Carlo Rally in the French Riviera, holds a racing license and has been fascinated by classic and sports cars since childhood. He will work out of Tesla’s London office and spend significant time in the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters.
Perhaps he should check their web site. As posted above, they already named a successor.
“As director of strategic planning at Harley Davidson’s headquarters and then head of Harley’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operation, Michael helped develop an incredibly strong sense of community among customers – a Harley owner wouldn’t be caught dead on any other brand of motorcycle,” Musk said. “That’s exactly the sense of loyalty we want to inspire for Tesla.”
Van der Sande, 43, joined Harley-Davidson in 1996....”
ROTFLMAO! As if HD wasn’t already ‘all of that’ before 1996!
Sheesh, all this guy did was keep the lights on!
I’d own a Harley, but I don’t like having to fix my bike every 48 hours or so....(chuckle)
I thought they had more cars sold than they could produce?
They seem to be putting emphasis on sales, creating a fan base, and other such things. If the problem is producing the cars they already sold, then why don’t they concentrate on production people instead of marketing and sales? Makes no sense whatsoever.
What happened with Von Holzhausen? I didn’t know he left Mazda. He had some cool designs there.
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