Who Will Be the Next Tesla CEO After Elon Musk?
Since Elon Musk's involvement in political controversies and his DOGE position his divided focus from Tesla and other ventures has caused a 54% plunge in Tesla stocks as reported by Fortune. Musk's public popularity has seen a vast decline and this affect on Tesla has caused concerns. This raises the question: Who would replace Elon Musk? One name that stands out is Tom Zhu, the President of Tesla China and a key figure in the company’s global expansion.
If Musk were to step down or step back from his role, Zhu’s impressive track record and deep understanding of Tesla’s operations make him a strong contender to take over.
Who is Tom Zhu? A Rising Star at Tesla
As the current President of Tesla China, Tom Zhu is one of the most influential leaders and most suitable for the role. Zhu was born in China and later educated in New Zealand as well as the United states, with an MBA from Duke University before entering the business world. His journey with Tesla began in 2014 when he joined as the Director of Expansion in China, where he quickly demonstrated his ability to manage large-scale projects and drive growth.
Related: How Much of Tesla Does Elon Musk Own in 2025?
Career Highlights and Timeline
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2014: Joins Tesla as Director of Expansion for China, overseeing the development of Tesla’s Supercharger network.
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2019: Promoted to Vice President of Greater China, where he played a pivotal role in the rapid construction and success of Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory—built in just 10 months.
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2022: Becomes President of Tesla China, leading Tesla’s operations in the world’s largest EV market and significantly boosting production and delivery numbers.
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2023: Gains a more prominent role globally, overseeing Tesla’s U.S. assembly plants and sales operations while deputizing for Elon Musk when he is away.
Could Tom Zhu Be the Next Tesla CEO?
Zhu’s impressive leadership and operational expertise have made him a natural candidate to step into a larger role. Investopedia has reported that Zhu has been deputizing for Elon Musk during his absence, further fueling speculation that he could be groomed to take over the CEO position. His success in expanding Tesla’s footprint in China and managing global operations positions him well to lead Tesla’s next phase of growth, particularly as the company faces increasing competition from BYD and operational challenges.
Is Elon Musk Still in Charge of Tesla?
Yes, Elon Musk remains the CEO of Tesla, but his focus has been increasingly divided between his various ventures, including SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s growing involvement in political and governmental affairs has also drawn scrutiny and led to public backlash.
Why Did Musk Step Back?
There have been several reports including from The Economic Times of Musk's struggle to balance his business and government duties. His commitment to recent public commentary as well as being in the spotlight for several controversial moments has alienated Tesla's Customer base and heavily contributed to the decline in Tesla's stock value. This has raised concerns among investors about whether Musk’s divided attention is negatively impacting Tesla’s performance and long-term vision.
Conclusion
Elon Musk's involvement in political affairs through his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken his attention from his business ventures. If Musk were to step aside as Tesla CEO, appointing a successor like Tom Zhu this could stabilize Teslas's stock, restoring investor confidence.
An even better option would be Elon Musk pulling back from DOGE, leaving the government positions for those with the experience and credible qualification. Placing billionaire businessmen in government is clearly not always the best plan.
