Omead Afshar, a long-time Musk lieutenant, was tasked with improving the company’s business in North America and Europe late last year but sales continue to drop in both.

Omead Afshar, a powerful executive at Tesla Inc. and one of Elon Musk's closest confidants, has left the company, according to people familiar with the matter, the latest high-level departure during a volatile period for the electric vehicle maker.

Omead Afshar, Tesla’s head of manufacturing and operations, has been fired from the company by CEO Elon Musk after declining car sales.