Tesla, the electric vehicle titan, finds itself in turbulent waters as sales plummet and disenchanted enthusiasts turn away from the brand. Over the past year, California, the biggest market for electric vehicles in the United States, reported a 12% decrease in Tesla sales. The trend is echoed globally, with sales in Britain dropping by 12%, Norway by 38%, and France suffering a staggering 63% decline, according to data from the New York Times. Since inauguration day, a 21% selloff of Tesla stock has been recorded, as reported by ABC. This reflects a growing sentiment among Tesla owners who are severing ties with the company by selling cars, terminating leases, and offloading stock.
Alex Winter, an actor and activist, has emerged as a key figure in this movement. He is encouraging others to divest from Tesla, citing dissatisfaction with CEO Elon Musk's political endorsements and public behavior. The Guardian reported that three individuals have recently spoken about selling their Teslas in protest against Musk.
Social media platforms amplify this sentiment. A TikTok account named Cybertruck hunters has gained traction, with users sharing stories of parting ways with their Teslas. On Reddit, threads are filled with posts about selling Tesla shares, with statements like, "Never normalize Nazis" and "This is my way of fighting Nazis and I’m damn proud."
"This is my way of fighting Nazis and I’m damn proud." – Reddit user
Singer Sheryl Crow added her voice to the chorus of dissent. On Valentine's Day, she posted a video to Instagram waving goodbye to her Tesla as it was towed away.
"There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with." – Sheryl Crow
Rebekkah, a former Tesla owner, began reconsidering her allegiance when Musk endorsed Trump for president in July. Initially seeking a bumper sticker for her Model 3 to express her discontent, she eventually decided to sell her Tesla and purchase a Rivian. She donated the proceeds to National Public Radio, citing its threat under "President Musk."
Filipos, another disillusioned Tesla owner, opted for a Ford F-150 Lightning over the anticipated Cybertruck. He shared that he did not want a vehicle associated with what he considered negative connotations.
"I didn’t want to be saddled with a vehicle that was associated with something so awful." – Filipos
"When you own a vehicle like that, you are advertising for that company." – Filipos
In San Francisco, protesters unfurled a banner reading "Musk must GO," depicting a boot kicking a swastika. They carried signs declaring "No Swastikars," capturing the essence of their protest against what they perceive as Musk's controversial political associations.
Elon Musk's personal fortune has taken a significant hit amidst these controversies, with losses exceeding $100 billion. Additionally, Tesla's valuation has dipped below $1 trillion. The backlash started gaining momentum over the summer when Tesla owners began adorning their cars with bumper stickers stating: "I bought this before Elon went crazy."
Ron, another former Tesla owner, expressed relief after selling his vehicle.
"I guess you could say I happily paid $4,000 to get rid of that car." – Ron
These developments come as part of a broader shift within the Tesla community, where individuals once passionate about the brand now seek alternatives. The situation reflects wider societal conversations about corporate accountability and political endorsements.