Tesla Collision Safety Architect Petter Winberg Leaves, Once Leading Multiple Tesla Models

【PCauto】After 14 years of service at Tesla, Chief Engineer for Collision Safety Petter Winberg has announced his departure.

Petter Winberg is a seasoned expert in automotive safety, having gained significant experience at Volvo and SAAB, both renowned for their safety performance. He joined Tesla in 2011, during a pivotal time when the company was developing its first fully in-house model, the Model S (the prior Roadster was based on the Lotus Elise). Winberg was primarily responsible for the crash safety development of the Model S’s structure and side occupant restraint systems.

Subsequently, he led his team in the development of the body and chassis structures for the Model 3 and Model Y, as well as the crash structures for them. Thanks to his efforts, multiple Tesla models have received top safety ratings from independent testing organizations globally, helping establish Tesla’s reputation for safety and reliability. Moreover, he played a key role in the design of the crash preparedness and energy absorption capabilities of Tesla’s latest Integrated Die Casting Technology and structural battery pack, securing relevant patents in the process.

As for the reasons behind his departure, Petter Winberg has not disclosed any details, leading to various speculations. Over the past five years, he worked remotely for Tesla from Sweden, despite Musk's public opposition to remote work. In emails to Tesla management, Musk stated that only outstanding employees would qualify for remote work exemptions, requiring his personal approval.

While Petter Winberg's departure is significant, Tesla is simultaneously facing its own set of challenges. In the U.S., Tesla's electric vehicles and stores have become targets for vandalism and arson by critics of Musk. Additionally, the company has been facing retaliatory tariffs from several countries against the U.S., posing further challenges to Tesla's globalization strategy. These compounded factors have contributed to a decline of over 50% in Tesla's stock price from its peak last December.

Winberg's departure undoubtedly represents another setback for Tesla. Given the current circumstances, more news regarding the resignation of key personnel may emerge in the future.