Tesla has lost another key figure from its leadership team, as Omead Afshar—one of CEO Elon Musk’s closest allies—has exited the electric vehicle giant, according to a source familiar with the matter. His departure adds to a growing list of high-level exits amid Tesla’s ongoing struggles with softening global demand and internal restructuring.

Afshar, who had been with Tesla since 2017, played a prominent role in several major initiatives, including the development of the Gigafactory in Texas. Over the years, he rose quickly within the company to become a central figure in Musk’s executive circle. Most recently, he was overseeing Tesla’s sales and manufacturing operations across North America and Europe.

His departure, first reported by Bloomberg, comes at a time when Tesla is navigating a complex mix of business and political headwinds. Sales in Western markets have slowed, in part due to consumer backlash against Musk’s increasingly polarizing public and political stances, including his support for former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In an attempt to restore investor confidence, Musk ended his controversial advisory role in Washington in May. Despite that move, Tesla’s stock remains down roughly 19% this year, tempering earlier investor optimism around potential regulatory breakthroughs for the company’s autonomous vehicle ambitions under a Trump-led administration.

Last weekend, Tesla launched a pilot rollout of self-driving taxis in Austin, Texas, signaling a push toward the future of autonomous mobility. While the initiative marks a bold step, experts have expressed caution about widespread adoption due to unresolved safety and technical issues.

Afshar’s exit follows a wave of high-profile departures throughout 2024, tied to Tesla’s broad cost-cutting measures and strategic pivot toward AI and robotics. Key executives who have recently left include former CFO Zach Kirkhorn, battery division head Drew Baglino, and Supercharging lead Rebecca Tinucci. Additionally, Jenna Ferrua, who oversaw HR operations in Austin, has also left the company, according to new reports.

Neither Tesla nor Musk have publicly addressed Afshar’s departure, and attempts to contact the departing executive were unsuccessful.

Tesla now faces growing pressure as analysts predict the company could post its first year-on-year drop in global vehicle deliveries—an unprecedented milestone for a firm that has long been synonymous with growth and innovation in the EV space.