TuSimple Announces Removal of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Xiaodi Hou

Autonomous truck driving startup TuSimple has announced that the Board of Directors has removed Dr. Xiaodi Hou, the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Technology Officer of the company. He has also left his position as Chairman of the Board, effective as of October 30, 2022. 

TuSimple says the actions have been 'taken in connection with an ongoing investigation led by the Audit Committee of the Board that led the Board to conclude that a change of Chief Executive Officer was necessary'.  

According to the Wall Street Journal, TuSimple is being investigated by US authorities over its alleged relationship with China-backed Hydron Inc.

The company announced that Dr. Ersin Yumer, TuSimple's Executive Vice President of Operations, has agreed to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer and President of the company during the executive search.  

Brad Buss, its Lead Independent Director, will serve as Chairman of the Board.  

Buss says: "I would like to thank Xiaodi for his many contributions to TuSimple. His knowledge and vision have been invaluable to the development of TuSimple's industry-leading technology and the growth of the Company.  As we look ahead, I am delighted that Ersin has agreed to help us shepherd the Company through the next phases of its development. Transparency, good judgment and accountability are critical values to our Company.  We take these values extremely seriously."

"I look forward to working with the Board and the talented TuSimple Team to continue to move the Company forward." adds Dr. Yumer. He added, "The leadership team firmly believes in the benefits of our technology and is committed to the Company's commercialization roadmap."

TuSimple is a global autonomous driving technology company, headquartered in San Diego, California, with operations in Arizona, Texas, Europe, and China.