Things you need to know about backlash against Tesla

Elon Musk's automaker Tesla faces protests, vandalism and stock prices amidst the billionaire right-wing politics and involvement in the Trump administration.

Over the past decade, Tesla has become a disruptive newcomer in the automotive industry to become the best-selling American electric vehicle brand. However, the dealer has been attacked recently, and many owners are selling the vehicle.

Some buyers, attracted by Tesla's eco-friendly images, began to lose patience with Musk after purchasing Twitter in 2022.

For some, Musk was able to break his contract when he made a gesture similar to a fascist salute when he spoke at a rally to celebrate Trump's inauguration in January. And once Trump takes office, Musk, the world's wealthiest man, is empowered to clean up federal and firefighters and promote anger towards him.

Let's take a look at the backlash against Tesla.

The destroyer is targeting Tesla dealers.

The vandals have damaged or destroyed Tesla vehicles and have destroyed company facilities in at least seven locations across the United States, from Oregon to Massachusetts, for the past month. Fired in the building, dealer windows are broken, and charging stations are on fire. No serious injuries have been reported.

Attorney General Pam Bondy on Tuesday labelled the acts of the “domestic terrorism” episode directed at Musk, reflecting comments by Trump. If convicted, some of the accused could face at least five years in prison sentences, Bondy said, but she said she did not specify what claims she could bring.

US and European protesters are urging Tesla owners to sell cars along with the company's shares. Hundreds of protesters recently gathered outside a Tesla showroom in Manhattan, with many chanting, “No one voted for Elon Musk.”

The owner sold the Teslas.

Owners of Tesla in the US and overseas say they sell the vehicles because they feel marginalized by Musk's values ​​and politics. Some drivers said they reached a decision after being harassed for owning a Tesla.

Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, said in a post from X last week that he was selling Teslas and getting a new vehicle. He later said he bought a Chevrolet Tahoe.

“The Tesla was as fast as a rocket ship, so I bought a Tesla,” he wrote in the post. “But now, every time I drive it, it feels like a sleek sign for men who dismantle our government and hurt people. So, Tesla, you've been fired!”

Tesla's stocks plummeted.

Tesla investors are worried that Musk has spent too much time in Washington and that his immersion in right-wing politics has alienated buyers.

As of Tuesday morning, the company's stock price had fallen 47% since the start of Trump's second term. The decline is far outweighed the S&P 500 index reduction, which fell by about 7% over the same period.

Sales are also poor. Sales of US Teslas fell 5.6% last year to around 634,000 units, according to vehicle valuation company Kelly Blue Book. This was the first in the company's history to decrease year by year.