TuSimple names new CEO, replaces ex-boss fired after probe into ties to Chinese language agency By Reuters

(Reuters) – TuSimple Holdings Inc’s former chief government Cheng Lu is returning to the position, days after the self-driving trucking firm fired his predecessor following an inside probe that confirmed some workers had ties and shared info with a China-backed agency.

San Diego, California-based TuSimple additionally introduced late on Thursday that it eliminated 4 impartial administrators and appointed co-founder and main shareholder Mo Chen as government chairman of the board.

The reshuffle follows an investigation by its board that concluded that a few of its workers spent paid hours final 12 months working for Hydron Inc, a startup engaged on autonomous vans largely in China.

TuSimple mentioned the investigation additionally discovered that confidential info had been shared with Hydron that was not dropped at the eye of audit and authorities safety committees. The Chinese language agency was being evaluated as a possible unique tools producer.

“I am returning as TuSimple’s CEO with a way of urgency to place our firm again on monitor,” new CEO Lu mentioned in an announcement.

Lu replaces Ersin Yumer, the vice chairman of operations who has been serving as its interim CEO for the reason that board fired Hou on Oct. 31.

In an announcement after his firing, Xiaodi Hou denied any wrongdoing and mentioned the transfer was “with out trigger.”

Hou, 37, is a co-founder of TuSimple and had been on the helm of the self-driving firm since 2018 and led TuSimple throughout its IPO.