Tesla Inc.’s Director of Design, David Imai, has made the decision to leave the electric vehicle company to join Arc Boats, a manufacturer of electric boats, as their Chief Designer.
What Prompted the Move
Imai announced his decision to join Arc Boats in a post on LinkedIn earlier this month, stating that he would be taking on the new role in February. As of now, his job description on LinkedIn has been updated to reflect the change.
Background on David Imai
Imai joined Tesla in 2011, after working with General Motors for over four years. During his time at Tesla, he was primarily responsible for the exterior design of production cars. He was promoted to Director of Design in August 2019, a position he held until his departure from the company.
Not the Only Departure
Imai’s departure is not an isolated incident, as Bernard Lee, Senior Manager of Vehicle Design, left Tesla in November. Lee had been with Tesla since October 2008, leaving briefly in 2018 before returning in June 2020. He was instrumental in the design of the refreshed Model 3, as well as the Cybercab demo and production vehicle.
Implications of the Departures
The loss of top design talent comes at a critical time for Tesla, as the company is gearing up to launch new products. In January, Tesla announced that preparations were underway at their existing factories for the launch of more affordable models, with production slated to begin in the first half of 2025.
Future Plans
Tesla has also started hiring for the production of the Cybercab, which is expected to start in 2026. Additionally, the company plans to refresh the design of their Model S and X cars later this year, as stated by Tesla executive Lars Moravy in a recent interview.
The Future of Mobility
As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, companies like Tesla are under pressure to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. The loss of key design talent could potentially impact the company’s ability to deliver on their promises, but only time will tell.