Image Credit: Taiwan News
Electric scooter manufacturer Gogoro Inc. has announced the resignation of its founder, Horace Luke, from his roles as chair and CEO, effective immediately. The decision was made during a board meeting held on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Tamon Tseng, who is the head of legal affairs at Gogoro’s major shareholder, Ruentex Group, has been appointed as the new chair of the company. Concurrently, Henry Chiang, the general manager of Gogoro Taiwan, has taken on the role of acting CEO. The appointments were confirmed by CNA.
In a statement, Chiang acknowledged Luke’s significant contributions, highlighting his creativity and vision in creating a new transportation ecosystem tailored for smart cities. Luke, in a letter to the staff, expressed the difficulty of his decision to step down, though no specific reasons for his departure were disclosed. According to the Liberty Times, Gogoro has faced substantial financial challenges, with losses exceeding NT$10 billion (approximately US$312 million) over the past five years.
Horace Luke, aged 54 and originally from Hong Kong, previously worked at Microsoft in the United States and HTC before founding Gogoro in 2011. Under his leadership, the company became renowned for its innovation in battery-swapping technology and electric scooters. Chiang lauded Gogoro as one of Taiwan’s most emblematic brands, reflecting its significant impact on the industry.