Tesla Loses Cybercab Assembly Lead to Rivian R2 Weeks After Launch
Jody Kerns becomes the second Cybercab launch leader to leave Tesla this year, joining Rivian as Director of General Assembly for the R2.
Tesla’s Senior Manager of Cybercab General Assembly at Gigafactory Texas, Jody Kerns, is departing the company to join Rivian as its Director of General Assembly for the R2. His exit marks the second time this year that a key leader from Tesla’s Cybercab launch team has left for a competitor.
What Happened
Kerns announced his move in a LinkedIn post this week, thanking his Tesla team for their work "from the WEOL project to the launch of the Cyber Cab." According to his profile, Kerns joined Tesla in January 2024 as an end-of-line manager and assumed responsibility for Cybercab general assembly in Austin in February 2026. This period coincided with the production of the first steering-wheel-less Cybercab and the vehicle's ramp-up to commercial service. At Rivian, Kerns stated his goal is to make the R2 "the best electric SUV in the market." He brings significant experience to the role, having spent 14 years at Volkswagen of America, where he managed assembly operations for the ID.4 at the Chattanooga plant, and four years in Toyota’s paint shops.
Why It Matters
The departure of Kerns follows that of Michael So, Tesla’s former Head of Cybercab New Product Introduction (NPI), who walked out in April to join Aalo Atomics. So, who served in the NPI role from September 2024 to April 2026, was Giga Texas employee #1 since 2021 and helped launch the Model Y and Cybertruck at the facility. He was also instrumental in launching the Cybercab’s "unboxed" manufacturing process and brake-by-wire systems. His exit, and now Kerns', comes at a critical juncture for Tesla’s autonomy program. Commercial Cybercab rides began in Austin on September 3, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a Special Order one week later, requiring sworn proof that a vehicle lacking a steering wheel and brake pedal meets federal safety standards. NHTSA currently estimates the combined 2026 Robotaxi fleet at approximately 1,000 vehicles. Meanwhile, Rivian is in the midst of a pivotal production ramp for the R2, having produced 19,751 vehicles in Q3 and maintained its 2026 delivery guidance of 65,000 to 70,000 units. Rivian has raised $1.5 billion, partly to de-risk this ramp.
The Bottom Line
Tesla faces leadership turnover in its autonomous vehicle assembly team just weeks after the Cybercab's commercial debut and during an active NHTSA safety inquiry. Rivian secures a seasoned manufacturing executive to help scale R2 production, leveraging his experience in integrating new EV models into existing factory lines.
