Tesla is going through tough times: dissatisfaction with Elon Musk due to his active involvement in politics has sparked a wave of boycotts and protests. At the same time, competition with Chinese electric car manufacturers is intensifying, threatening the company's leadership in the market. Although Musk's departure from the position of Tesla CEO seems unlikely, Forbes analysts are mulling over who could manage the company more effectively under these circumstances.
JB Straubel
JB Straubel is one of the five co-founders of Tesla and the most likely candidate to become its CEO if Elon Musk steps down. He currently leads Redwood Materials, a company specializing in battery recycling and component production. From 2004 to 2019, Straubel was Tesla’s Chief Technical Officer, overseeing the development of electric motors and batteries, as well as the launch of the gigafactory in Nevada. Since 2023, he has been a member of Tesla's board of directors, giving him a deep understanding of its business processes.
Tom Zhu
Tom Zhu is Tesla's Senior Vice President, responsible for the company's automotive operations in the Chinese market. He joined Tesla in 2014 after working at Kaibo Engineering Group and quickly established himself as a key figure in the Asian region. Under his leadership, the Shanghai factory was built and successfully launched. Since 2020, it has played a crucial role in ensuring the company's profitability. Zhu's deep knowledge of the Chinese market and electric vehicle supply chains makes him a strong candidate to replace Musk.
Stella Li
Stella Li is the Executive Vice President of the Chinese automotive giant BYD and the head of its operations in North and South America. Starting as a marketing manager in 1996, Stella Li rose through the ranks to become one of the key figures at BYD. She has also earned global recognition, being listed among Time 100 Climate Leaders and as Person of the Year in the Automotive Industry. Her extensive knowledge of the Chinese market and successful cooperation with Tesla, for which BYD supplies batteries, make Li one of the most promising candidates to replace Musk.
John Krafcik
John Krafcik is the former CEO of Waymo, where he transformed the company from a research project into a profitable robotaxi service. He began his career in 1984 at NUMMI, a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors, which later became the largest Tesla factory in the US. Krafcik then held key positions at Ford and led Hyundai in the US, ensuring steady sales growth and reinforcing the company’s position in the American market. He currently serves on the boards of Rivian and Daimler Truck, giving him unique connections in the global automotive industry.
Jose Munoz
Jose Munoz is one of the most unexpected candidates for the role of Tesla’s CEO. In 2025, he became the first non-Korean to head Hyundai Motor and the first person outside the founding Chung family to lead the company. Before this, Munoz served as Hyundai's global Chief Operating Officer and spent 15 years at Nissan, holding positions such as Chief Performance Officer and Chairman of the North American division. His CV also includes five years of experience in Toyota's European division.