Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Tesla Names VP of Heavy Duty Trucks

Former Daimler and Freightliner Class 8 development manager Jerome Guillen shifts from an automotive focus at Tesla to leading the Tesla Semi program.

March 15, 2021
Tesla Names VP of Heavy Duty Trucks

Jerome Guillen has transitioned to a new role as president of Tesla's heavy-duty truck program.

Photo: Jerome Guillen LinkedIn

2 min to read


Tesla announced Jerome Guillen, formerly president of automotive, has transited to a new role as vice president of heavy duty trucks to lead production of the Tesla Semi program and related charging and servicing networks.

Guillen has a background in Class 8 product development and innovation. Between September 2002 and September 2007, Guillen served as general manager of product development at Freightliner. From 2007 to November 2010, he was director and founder of Daimler’s business innovation department.

Ad Loading...

Eventually, Guillen made the switch to Tesla and to passenger vehicles, serving as acting VP of vehicle engineering, director of Tesla’s Model S program, VP of worldwide sales and service and VP of trucks and programs, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“As Tesla prepares to enter the critical heavy trucks market for the first time, Mr. Guillen will now leverage his extensive background in this industry to focus on and lead all aspects of the Tesla Semi program,” Tesla officials announced in a SEC filing.

The transition comes a little over a month since the company’s 2020 fourth-quarters earnings call, in which Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said the Tesla Semi, a Class 8 battery-electric tractor, had finished its pre-production engineering work. Musk said the Semi would be ready to go to market later this year.

However, the company’s expressed that limited ability to get battery cells would be in a challenge, and that hasn’t been the first setback for Class 8.

Initially, the electric truck was introduced to the industry in 2017 and set to begin production in 2019. That date was pushed to 2020, and again delayed to this year.

Ad Loading...

Corrected March 23: Guillen was general manager of product development at Freightliner between September 2002 and September 2007, not between September 2020 and September 2007.

More Fleet Management

Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
Ad Loading...
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Phillips Connect -- McLeod smart trailer TMS.
Fleet ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

Phillips Connect, McLeod Integrate Smart Trailer Data into TMS Workflows

A new partnership between Phillips Connect and McLeod allows fleets to view trailer health, location, and cargo status inside the same McLeod workflows used for planning, dispatch, and execution.

Read More →