Photo: AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Tesla electric cars are usually driven by more affluent and environmentally conscious people. But since the boss of the car manufacturer Elon Musk threw himself into the right wing, many drivers will no longer hear about Tesla. Sales are falling
Banners with slogans such as "Burn Tesla: Save Democracy" and "No dictators in the US" appeared at demonstrations in the US outside stores selling the brand's cars Tesla.
Demonstrators in New York, Florida and Arizona express their opposition to the Tesla boss, Elon Musk, intimate to the new president Donald Trump, he writes Deutsche Welle (DW).
Jens Fischer from Witten, Germany wouldn't go that far. "I'm still delighted with the car, but I'm clearly distancing myself from Elon Musk," says the confident Tesla driver.
Fischer, who is politically active in the Greens, has been driving a Tesla for more than three years. However, his enthusiasm for the car is fading since Elon Musk seems to be more interested in politics than cars.
"The final straw was after the election, when Musk celebrated with Trump." It's getting worse," says Fisher. Since last November, he has been trying to avoid Tesla getting any more money from him.
Fall in value of shares and sales
Tesla shares fell 9 percent this week due to poor sales in Europe. Dealers attribute the drop in vehicle sales at least in part to Musk's unpopularity.
This is also confirmed by Murat Bass, a merchant from Karst in western Germany, who buys and sells used Teslas. Although it is trying to separate the brand from its owner, it has already had customers sell their Teslas because they were insulted by Musk.
"There are more used Teslas on the market now." We can buy more of them," says Bass. "But there is a risk that prices will fall even more when we think about Musk." His political statements are bad for our business."
Musk has been the head of Tesla since 2008 and has turned the brand, by market value, into the most valuable car manufacturer in the world. However, analysts now point out that his political activities are damaging the car's image.
The controversial boss isn't the only problem
Not only does Musk influence politics in the US, he also supports far-right parties in Europe, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and spreads conspiracy theories online.
The number of newly registered Teslas in Germany fell by 60 percent in January compared to the same month last year, according to automotive expert Helena Wisbert, a professor of the automotive industry at the University of Ostfalia.
"Musk's political involvement in the Trump administration is currently negatively affecting the image of the brand," he says. He adds that the value of shares is falling due to a lack of innovation and stronger competition.
"Sales have been falling in recent weeks, which shows that the hype around Tesla is dying down," Wisbert says. The year 2025 has been problematic for the brand so far. "Tesla deviated from the path of success," says this expert.
"Sales fell by a double-digit percentage, especially in Europe." In January, by 46 percent, even though the electric car market was growing," he adds.
But the problems are not limited to Germany and the EU. On social networks, celebrities, such as the American singer Sheryl Crow, announce that they are saying goodbye to Tesla.
In London, activists express their disagreement with Musk and his political views with a poster that reads: "Accelerates from 0 to 1939", alluding to the start of World War II.
Tesla driver Jens Fischer from Witten shows his displeasure with a sticker on the car, which reads: "I bought it before Elon went crazy."
"If I got a good deal right now, I'd sell the Tesla and buy another electric car," he says.
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