Elon Musk and Tesla Vehicles in Disfavour

 

"Previously, they were very proud of their car and now we can see that the actions of Elon Musk really divide people, so it's more difficult to be proud of having a Tesla today."

"I think it's going to slow down EV adoption in Canada and I think we're also seeing  fewer purchase incentives in play, which we know has a significant impact."

"All of these things are creating some big headwinds for electrification."

Stephane Pascalon, Tesla Inc. fan club 

A line of electric vehicles of the model Y during the start of the production at Tesla's "Gigafactory" in Gruenheide, Germany. Elon Musk, inset. Patrick Pleul / Andrew Harnik/POOL/AFP / Getty Images

 

The latest tide of controversy that has engulfed the world's wealthiest man, owner of Space X, Tesla and the social media site X, has him in bad odour with many of his once-admirers, in particular people who bought into his electric cars both for the prestige involved and to consolidate their dedication to the belief in climate change brought about by human activities. The current government in Canada has mandated that gas-burning vehicles are out and electric vehicles are in; a reflection of its commitment to fighting Climate Change.

 

Tesla owners have among their group which takes pride in owning Musk's signature road vehicle, those who are now reconsidering their Tesla ownership. Others who may now wish to sell their Tesla model, and will not consider replacing it with a new Tesla. The multi-billionaire's more recent full political immersion in support of President Donald J. Trump's second administration appears to many people that fame and fortune, publicity and cavalier attitudes to serious global upheavals are inappropriate entrees to politics.

 

Elon Musk's new position as a confidante of President Trump, one who has offered to assist in the streamlining of government and whose offer has been rewarded by a post in which he has been tasked to cut and eliminate government waste has not resonated well with many people. Mr. Musk's Nazi-style salute at Mr. Trump's inauguration hit a nerve in many peoples' estimation, linking it with his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

A man holds a sign during a protest outside a Tesla showroom in Seattle on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Manuel Valdes/AP Photo

 

Tesla owners report that some among them were treated to aggressive behaviour on the road, reflecting a generalized anger in the public against Tesla owners and the brand's CEO. In a recent survey, some four percent of respondents revealed they didn't plan to buy a Tesla for their next EV, with a smaller number planning to sell the Tesla vehicles they hold at the present time.

 

Vandalism at a Tesla dealership with an obscene remark about Musk spray-painted on an exterior wall has resulted in a police investigation. A post on Reddit showed the graffiti with thousands of votes of approval. A worldwide protest is being organized to take place in front of Tesla service centres. Politico reported earlier in February that a Tesla car showroom in the Netherlands had been graffitied with swastikas and anti-fascist slogans. A Tesla factory in Germany was defaced by protesters.

 

"I know of at least one person personally who was preparing to purchase a Tesla ... within the next month or two and who has since decided to go a  different way", revealed a board member of Electric Vehicle Society, a non-profit advocating for electric mobility in Canada, preparing for a dip in sales reflecting anti-Musk sentiment.

 

Interestingly, rebate data from Transport Canada's zero-emission vehicle program, reports some 33,000 
Teslas received rebates for new purchases in the past year; down on a per-month basis about 15 percent in comparison to the approximately 50,000 Teslas receiving the rebates in the 2023-24 fiscal year. 

A Tesla with a sticker referring to the car's purchase is shown in Concord, Mass., Dec. 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Peter Morgan