Tesla board members reached out to multiple executive search firms to initiate the hunt for a new CEO as tensions mounted over the company’s plummeting stock price, sources familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal.

With profits and the stock price sinking, board members told Musk he needed to spend more time at the company.

As Elon Musk shifts focus towards political roles and artificial intelligence ventures, Tesla’s board is reportedly assessing succession options, raising questions over the company’s future leadership and direction.