A recent CNBC All America Survey has exposed a stunning chasm in how Americans see the company. The outcome indicates Musk’s mixed reputation among users. The findings indicate that while a segment of the population holds positive views about the electric vehicle manufacturer, a significant portion expresses negativity, highlighting the polarizing nature of both the brand and its founder.
Per Civic Science’s survey, a mere 27% of Americans have a favorable impression of Tesla, while a quarter of the public (24%) is neutral. Republicans have been Tesla’s biggest fans. In marked contrast, Democrats show a jaw-dropping -74 net approval rating for the company. Independents prove to be the worst case scenario, giving a -49 net approval.
The whole picture just illustrates that men have been divided in their opinion on Tesla. At the other extreme, younger people (18-34) are especially harsh, with a net approval of -23. This demographic shift indicates that Tesla’s appeal may not be as far-reaching among younger, would-be consumers.
The survey results showed a surprising trend. Tesla’s net approval rating is dismal in comparison to the national approval ratings for EVs. This insight highlights how far Tesla still has to go to achieve mainstream acceptance within a market rapidly pivoting towards EVs.
Elon Musk himself remains a contentious figure. Only about 36% of the public views him favorably, with fully half of respondents saying they have a bad opinion. Only 16% take a neutral view of the entrepreneur. For Democrats, Musk is looking at an even starker drop in support, at -82 net approval. Independents are bad news, registering -49 approval.
Men are more likely to approve of Musk than women, giving them an electric vehicle overall net approval rating of +11. This shows that despite a lack of consensus among individuals, there is broad consensus when it comes to supporting the category of EVs.
Micah Roberts, a partner at Public Opinion Strategies, remarked on the survey’s findings:
“Where Tesla is strongest is among the people least likely to buy an EV.”
This observation calls into question Tesla’s broader marketing strategy, as well as its conversion of good public will into real, tangible sales.