Elon Musk took a chainsaw to the US government. Tesla is taking the hit.

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's brand image has significantly deteriorated due to Elon Musk's political affiliations and actions, leading to declining sales and increased public backlash [1][4][5]. Group 1: Sales and Deliveries - Tesla reported 336,681 deliveries in Q1 2025, a decrease from 495,570 in Q4 2024 and 386,810 in Q1 2024, indicating a substantial drop in consumer interest [3]. - In February 2025, Tesla's sales in Germany plummeted by 76% to just 1,429 units compared to 6,038 in February 2024, reflecting a broader decline in European sales, which fell 44% year-over-year [31][32]. Group 2: Political Impact - Musk's political activities have transformed Tesla into a "symbolic pariah," with record-high trade-ins and calls for boycotts from foreign leaders, resulting in the stock price losing about half its value since December [4]. - A study indicated that the likelihood of Republicans purchasing a Tesla increased from 7% to 10.2% following Musk's endorsement of Trump, suggesting a shift in the brand's customer base [8]. Group 3: Brand Perception and Protests - The "Tesla Takedown" movement aims to discourage purchases and encourage Tesla owners to trade in their vehicles, with peaceful protests occurring nationwide [22][24]. - Vandalism and violent protests against Tesla properties have been reported, with some incidents involving Molotov cocktails and gunfire [17][19]. Group 4: Competition and Market Position - BYD, a major competitor, has made significant advancements in EV technology, including a new charging system that allows for five-minute charging, and has surpassed Tesla in revenue, reporting $107 billion compared to Tesla's$97.7 billion in 2024 [33][35]. - BYD's "God's Eye" advanced driver assistance system will be included at no extra cost in its entire EV lineup, further intensifying competition against Tesla [34]. Group 5: Product Issues - Tesla's aging product lineup has been a concern, with the Cybertruck facing eight recalls since its launch in November 2023, including a recent recall of 46,000 units due to a manufacturing defect [36][38].