Peng Zhou's apology for the Valleywag leak
- From:
- Peng Zhou (Tesla engineer)
- Date:
- November 3, 2008 (Date of Musk's forward; the letter itself was sent to Musk the same day or shortly before)
- To:
- Elon Musk (addressed to all Tesla employees; forwarded company-wide by Musk)
- Subject:
- Re: Letter of Apology
Dear Tesla Motors Employees,
Tesla Motors is a great company and is pioneering the green revolution. I have always been a proud Tesla employee and we all worked extremely hard towards the company mission. Throughout past two years, I also took a wild ride in the great emotional roller-coaster of WhiteStar 1.0, 2.0 and Model S. Having driven Model S mule few times, I truly believe this is the vehicle that will change the world.
However, macro economic climate changed so dramatically and Model S is getting delayed and the company is refocusing. The past month has been very difficult, sitting through planning meetings and watch employees make in or out of the layoff list. It is so sad to lose 87 employees in a week. I became very upset and did the very foolish thing of writing a letter to Valleywag. I have never thought this letter would create such an upsetting situation for Tesla Motors and I should have never sent that letter. When Elon asked the originator of the letter to step forward, I should have done so. I am deeply sorry things happened this way.
I have submitted my resignation with my manager, who had no knowledge of this. I'll try my best to make situations better for Tesla Motors.
Again, my sincere apologies.
Best Regards,
Peng