Is Elon Musk hurting Tesla? (Mod Note Post #1)

Note how you use a deliberately loaded question (in a not so subtle effort to game the response). Let's try a normal objective one.

"Grok is elon musk negatively affecting tesla car sales, finish with a definitive yes or no"

"Elon Musk's impact on Tesla car sales is a complex issue with multiple factors at play. His high-profile persona and controversial political involvement, particularly his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his support for far-right causes, have undeniably stirred public backlash. In 2024, Tesla experienced its first annual sales decline, delivering 1.79 million vehicles globally, a 1.1% drop from 2023. This downturn coincided with significant sales slumps in key markets: a 45% decline in Europe in January 2025, a 71% drop in Australia, and a 49% decrease in China-made Tesla sales in February 2025. Surveys, such as one from Electrifying.com showing 59% of UK EV buyers deterred by Musk’s influence, suggest his actions are alienating some of Tesla’s traditionally liberal customer base, particularly in blue states where repeat buyer loyalty fell from 72% to 65% in late 2024.

However, Tesla’s challenges aren’t solely tied to Musk’s behavior. The company faces an aging product lineup—Model 3 and Model Y dominate 95% of sales with no major new models since the 2020 Model Y—and intensifying competition from rivals like BYD, which saw a 90% sales increase in China in February 2025. Global EV demand has also softened, with growth slowing to 23% in 2024 from 35% the prior year. Analysts argue that these structural issues, not just Musk’s polarizing presence, are significant drivers of the sales dip. Tesla’s stock, down 36% year-to-date in 2025, reflects these broader concerns, though long-term optimism persists around innovations like autonomous driving.

That said, the timing of sales drops with Musk’s political escalations—such as his AfD endorsement in Germany, where sales fell 76% in February 2025—points to a tangible brand impact. Protests, boycotts, and bumper stickers like “I bought this before Elon went crazy” signal a shift in consumer sentiment directly linked to him. While not the only factor, Musk’s actions amplify Tesla’s woes in a competitive market.

Yes."

I received the equivalent answer when asking it "Grok is Elon Musk hurting Tesla, conclude with a definitive yes/no answer".

And as the other poster pointed out, this is with his questionable AI model.

Someone would want to have a severe lack of social conscience, to buy a Tesla in 2025.

Maybe don’t give NAZI salutes live on tv.

«snip»

I'm not seeing how any of those things affect us in a negative way the EU and UK need shaking up. Immigration is a problem maybe it hasn't been a problem for you so far and I hope it never is but it has for a lot of people me included. You maybe even benifiting from capital appreciation on a property.

He's backing of the AFD is probably born out of frustration with the German goverment, hence the push for change to a more pro business party. The far left have attacked the Gigafactoy construction site recently, I have to agree with Elon, environmental groups tryign to stop EV production is just dumb.

Nothing he's doing is going to make your life worse. If it is i'd love to hear what specifically it is.

undermining the EU, putting a far right party in control of Germany, who have a lot of sway within the EU certainly would affect us. You wouldn’t want to be absolutely thick to think it wouldn’t affect us.

I do and have benefited from capital appreciation, I really don’t see the relevance of that statement.
How has immigration been a problem for you?

Having a US army liberating Belfast would veritably affect us.

You now what other than the far right or far left you can have a centre government which is effectively what we have.

What’s wrong with greens against EV factories?

Private motor car be they ICE or EV aren’t really the way forward. Or maybe the location was wrong.

That recall is huge, there other recalls have been general software relate but this one is just embarrassing for the brand. It was pretty much a failure as a car already but more so now.

Probably the best way of massaging sales figures

Will Tesla be asked to build the next "Beast?"

Where's this idea come from that somebody has to be making your life personally worse in order for you to think they're a c*nt or want to boycott their product?

McGregor has in no way made my life personally worse but there's not a chance I'd buy his stout or whiskey or step foot in his bar

I'll be surprised if shareholders vote to remove the board and Elon at the next shareholder meeting. Any prominent company, or collective who instigates that action will have an immediate target on their(Execs) back and that of their family. I have little hope of Elon facing prosecution due to the current Authoritarian administration.

IF there is another presidential election, and if a Democrat is elected president with a liberal majority in the Senate and House, only then is Elon Goebbels likely to see prison.

How is Tesla share price holding at current levels? Tesla continues to receive bad publicity. Elon is absent from governance, more economic uncertainty, Canadian counter tariffs, more innovation and competition from China with their FSD tech and electric cars.

I suggest you look up narcissistic

the honour of the task, or the ego of the control?

I think your view is massively oversimplified- it’s bordering on “why can’t everyone stop being so mean and leave the poor guy alone”.

The sail off into the lavish sunset notion doesn’t apply to billionaires - that’s why they’re billionaires - they’re relentless in their pursuit of ‘more’.
he couldn’t spend the wealth he has if he tried his best every day for the rest of his life - money is just a way to keep score now.

So they move to exerting control and power instead - and there’s no more power imaginable than backing a US presidential campaign and making sure it’s quid pro quo.

Look at bezos, Zuckerberg and others realise that musk has got a huge headstart in the power stakes and rush to catch up.

Again - I stress - this is about democracy under threat, and not about the honour of the task. Musk is not looking to punch a 9-to-5 in his federal spending review Dept 😀