Hong Kong's HSI was down 287 points or 1%, reaching 26,669. Taiwan's index also slipped down 129 points or 0.48%.Nikkei too traded in red, falling 31 points to 47,919 at 10 AM IST.The yellow metal on Wednesday surged $25.40 to $4,029.60 an ounce. Meanwhile, US futures and oil prices also advanced.The Japanese yen fell sharply against the dollar on expectations that Sanae Takaichi, the conservative lawmaker likely to become Japan’s next prime minister, will keep interest rates low.The dollar rose to 152.53 y ...

ToplineA group of Tesla investors and state government officials are urging the company’s other shareholders to vote against the electric carmaker’s proposed new compensation package for CEO Elon Musk—which could be worth around $1 trillion if the company achieves a set of ambitious goals over the next decade.A group of Tesla investors urged other shareholders to vote against CEO Elon Musk's proposed pay package which could be worth as much as $1 trillion.AFP via Getty ImagesKey FactsA letter sent on Thursd ...

Group 1: Industry Trends - Tesla's partnership with Dogecoin signifies a shift in cryptocurrencies from speculative assets to lifestyle tools, indicating a broader acceptance in traditional industries [1][3] - The integration of Dogecoin into Tesla's payment system has prompted the automotive industry to reconsider the definition of currency, highlighting the potential for cross-industry integration and innovation [3][4] Group 2: DIFD AUTO Overview - DIFD AUTO, founded in 2019 and based in the UK, specializes in smart car sales and has developed a global export network across five continents [5] - The company offers a comprehensive service that includes international shipping, customs clearance, and multilingual customer support, catering to a high-end market with luxury brands like Porsche and Ferrari [5] - DIFD AUTO accepts various cryptocurrencies for vehicle purchases, promoting the idea that cryptocurrency can democratize car ownership [5] Group 3: Payment Process and Security - During auctions, all bids are listed in US dollars to mitigate concerns over cryptocurrency fluctuations, with an option for buyers to pay in cryptocurrency [4] - DIFD AUTO provides a secure title and payment escrow service, including a free cryptocurrency-to-USD exchange, to enhance transaction security [4] - Buyers are advised to convert their cryptocurrency into stablecoins like Tether (USDT) or USDC to avoid volatility when making high-value purchases [4]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla has denied a report claiming that its board sought to replace Elon Musk as CEO amid declining car sales and backlash against his political activities [1][2][5]. Group 1: Board and Leadership - Robyn Denholm, Tesla's board chair, stated that the report about contacting recruitment firms for a CEO search is false and that the board is confident in Musk's leadership [1][2]. - The report suggested that some board members may have acted independently in seeking a successor, but it remains unclear if this was a collective board action [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Tesla reported a significant profit drop of 71% in Q1 2023, with profits falling to $409 million from $1.39 billion in the same period in 2022 [6]. - The company's stock has declined, losing about 25% of its market value this year [6]. Group 3: Political Context and Market Reaction - Musk's political activities, including his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have led to backlash and protests, impacting sales in key markets [5]. - Concerns have been raised regarding Musk's time management, as he oversees multiple companies, including SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter) [8].

Sir Ed Davey has said people are "changing their mind" on Tesla electric cars and he would not buy one. Asked if people should boycott Tesla - run by Trump adviser Elon Musk - Sir Ed said: "Let's get tariffs on them first." Launching their local election campaign in Henley-on-Thames, Sir Ed said the Lib Dems were now "the party of Middle England". He denied this meant they were the "posh party" or that their appeal was limited to those with middle or higher incomes. Asked who he sees as Middle England, Sir ...

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's brand and sales are increasingly affected by Elon Musk's political affiliations and actions, leading to a significant decline in electric vehicle registrations in Germany and raising concerns about the company's future performance [2][3][4]. Sales Performance - Tesla's electric car registrations in Germany fell by 76% to 1,429 units last month, while overall electric vehicle registrations increased by 31% [2]. - In 2024, Tesla's sales dropped to 1.79 million, marking the first sales decline since 2011 [5]. - Analysts expect Tesla to sell over 2 million cars in 2025, but this would not represent a strong recovery compared to previous growth rates [6]. Market Perception - The proportion of new vehicle buyers considering Tesla has decreased from 22% to just under 8% since Musk's acquisition of Twitter [10]. - The percentage of potential buyers who would not consider Tesla rose from 39% to 63% during the same period [10]. - Among Tesla owners, the percentage identifying as Democrats has fallen from 40% to 29%, indicating a shift in the brand's consumer base [11]. Brand Image and Activism - Activists have targeted Tesla, with protests and campaigns highlighting Musk's political stance, which some believe is damaging the brand's image as an environmentally friendly option [4][12]. - Analysts express concern that Musk's political involvement may alienate Tesla's core customer base, traditionally associated with liberal values [14]. Future Outlook - Some analysts remain optimistic, suggesting that Tesla's share price could rise significantly, while others warn of a potential decline due to Musk's political associations [7][8]. - Tesla's market share in the UK has decreased from 14% to 11% in early 2025, indicating increased competition from new electric vehicle models [19]. - In China, Tesla's sales of locally made EVs dropped by 49% year-on-year in February, reflecting pressure from cheaper competitors [20].