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.

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.