Tesla Assembly Manager Joins Rivian for R2 Production
The leadership change arrives as both manufacturers work to scale their electric fleets and meet federal safety guidelines.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Jody Kerns, the former Senior Manager of Cybercab General Assembly at Tesla, resigned from his position in October 2026. He is now joining Rivian as the Director of General Assembly for the R2, which began deliveries in June 2026.
Why it matters
This leadership transition occurs as both companies scale production for their latest autonomous and consumer electric vehicles. Rivian is currently working toward a 2026 delivery guidance of 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles, while Tesla manages a fleet of 1,000 Robotaxis in Austin.
Rivian produced 19,751 vehicles in Q3 2026, keeping the company on track for its 65,000 to 70,000 unit delivery guidance for the year. This follows the rollout of a 1,000-vehicle Robotaxi fleet at Tesla.
The players
Jody Kerns
An automotive assembly veteran who recently moved from leading Tesla's Cybercab assembly to directing R2 production at Rivian.
Tesla
A major electric vehicle manufacturer currently operating a fleet of 1,000 Robotaxis and navigating federal safety inquiries.
Rivian
An electric vehicle maker focused on scaling production of the R2 model following a recent $1.5 billion capital raise.
NHTSA
The federal agency tasked with overseeing vehicle safety standards, including those for autonomous cars without traditional manual controls.
The details
Kerns moves to Rivian after leading the final assembly ramp for the Cybercab at Gigafactory Texas. His background includes managing assembly lines and 1,200 employees during a 14-year tenure at Volkswagen of America. At Rivian, he will oversee the R2 assembly process, which is critical to the company's production goals for its newest vehicle line.
Timeline
January 2024: Jody Kerns joined Tesla as an end-of-line manager.
June 9, 2026: Rivian R2 deliveries officially began.
September 3, 2026: Commercial Cybercab rides commenced in Austin.
October 2026: Jody Kerns announced his departure from Tesla.
The Home Front
This leadership move reflects the high-stakes push by major manufacturers to meet production goals while navigating the NHTSA Special Order regarding safety standards for cars without steering wheels. These regulatory requirements are currently shaping the development timelines for autonomous and passenger fleets across the United States.
As manufacturers shift personnel to focus on scaling production, current or prospective owners should track delivery timelines and model release updates through official brand portals. Owners of newer electric models should also continue to monitor for safety updates or recall notices issued via the NHTSA website.
The takeaway
The movement of key assembly leadership signals a focus on ramp-up efficiency for major EV manufacturers. Consumers tracking vehicle deliveries can monitor production progress via the quarterly earnings and delivery updates provided on each manufacturer's investor relations page.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the industry by visiting the Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Electrek.
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