“Tesla Cybercab Assembly Leader Jody Kerns Jumps to Rivian for R2 Launch” — what this page in the network covers. Tesla has lost another key leader from its Cybercab program, as Jody Kerns, Senior Manager of Cybercab General Assembly at Gigafactory Texas, departs for Rivian. Kerns will become Director of General Assembly for the R2 at Rivian's Normal, Illinois plant. This marks the second high-profile Cybercab launch leader to leave Tesla this year, following the April exit of the head of Cybercab new product introduction before the vehicle ever carried a paying passenger.
The moves raise questions about Tesla's ability to retain talent for its ambitious robotaxi rollout, while Rivian gains experienced manufacturing leadership for its critical R2 platform. Kerns' departure comes just weeks after Tesla's Cybercab launch event, underscoring the competitive pressure in the EV talent market. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.