Tesla's chief engineer came out after taking leave



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Tesla
Inc.


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Chief Engineer will not return from his leave, a person familiar with the situation said, that the automaker is heading into a hinge period to prove that it can support the production of the model sedan 3.

Doug Field,

who had been senior vice president of engineering, stepped down as product development supervisor at the automaker's Silicon Valley in early May. At the time, a spokesman for Tesla said, "Doug is just taking a little time to recharge his batteries and spend time with his family. He did not leave Tesla. "

People familiar with the movement believed the moment he would come back six weeks later, but he had not done so.His departure is one of several high-level executive exits during the Last two years, Tesla has struggled to bring out model 3, which is cheaper than its other luxury vehicles under a plan to

Tesla said Monday that it has reached its long-term goal date, either to build 5,000 model 3 cars a week and to increase production to 6,000 cars a week by the end of August.

Tesla is in the running to develop a series new products, including the compact Model Y sport utility vehicle that the CEO

Elon Musk

said he wants to unveil in March and start production in the first half of 2020.

The automaker confirmed the start in a statement on Monday. "After nearly five years in Tesla, Doug Field is moving on," the statement said. "We would like to thank Doug for his hard work over the years and for all that he has done for Tesla."

Mr. Field could not be reached for comment.

A key leader at Tesla since his arrival in 2013

Apple
Inc.,

Mr. Field oversaw the company's vehicle engineering and oversaw production last year until Mr. Musk took over this role last spring.

million. Field is credited for helping to simplify the construction of Model 3 by simplifying the engineering complexity that was rampant in previous vehicles.

At least 50 vice presidents or senior executives have left the last 24 months, according to people close to the company. partly because of the acquisition of SolarCity Corp. Mr. Musk sees management's turnover as being in line with other large companies and has announced plans for a management reorganization to flatten the layers of managers.

Write to Tim Higgins at [email protected]

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