Tesla Promotes Paint Director to Lead Fremont Factory Amid Reopening Clash
Tesla names Richard Miller as the new head of production at its Fremont factory just as Elon Musk defiantly reopens the facility in violation of local health orders. The leadership shakeup occurs while the company faces a lawsuit and ongoing conflict with Alameda County officials.
Tesla appoints Richard Miller, the former director of paint operations, to lead production at the Fremont factory as Elon Musk defies local health regulations to resume operations. The internal promotion replaces Jatinder Dhillon as the manufacturing director, marking a significant leadership change at the critical California facility. This personnel shift happens on the exact same day that Musk restarts the assembly line against direct orders from Alameda County.
The automaker faces immense chaos as it resumes vehicle production despite a county-wide stay-at-home order that explicitly keeps manufacturing restrictions in place through the end of May. Alameda County officials acknowledge that Tesla has opened beyond the allowable minimum basic operations and actively notify the company of its violation. Musk openly wages war against these local health officials, escalating the tense standoff with public threats and legal action.
Tesla escalates its battle with the local government by filing a lawsuit against Alameda County seeking injunctive relief while simultaneously restarting the factory floor. Musk takes to Twitter to announce his return to the assembly line, boldly stating he is willing to be the only person arrested for the regulatory breach. The factory builds the Model X, Model S, Model 3, and Model Y, making its unauthorized reopening a massive gamble for the electric vehicle manufacturer.