Is Tesla’s brand power finally losing its charge?
The numbers suggest it might be. The electric car giant saw its European sales nosedive by 44% last month, its worst February in five years.
And while some point to model updates and market shifts, others are eyeing one man—Elon Musk.
Since stepping into a key role in Donald Trump’s administration, Musk’s high-profile political antics have sparked controversy.
From publicly supporting Germany’s far-right AfD to wielding a literal “chainsaw of democracy” at a conservative rally, he’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Fueling A Consumer Backlash
Analysts believe this could be fueling a consumer backlash, with Tesla showrooms even facing protests.
Felipe Muñoz, an analyst at Jato Dynamics, notes that Tesla is also in the middle of a tricky Model Y update, which is hurting sales.
But here’s the kicker—while Tesla struggles, rivals like Volkswagen and BMW are thriving.
VW’s EV sales skyrocketed by 180%, while China’s BYD is making a serious play, outselling Tesla globally in revenue.
So, is Tesla’s dip just a temporary speed bump, or is Musk’s political brand becoming a liability?
Either way, the competition isn’t waiting around to find out.
