3d ago

Tesla demand is nosediving in EV-friendly Europe amid Elon Musk's endorsement of the far right

fortune.com Tesla demand is nosediving in EV-friendly Europe amid Elon Musk's endorsement of the far right

Popularity has plummeted in markets like Germany, a country still haunted by its fascist past, where Tesla's share of EV sales plummeted to just 3.7% last month versus 14% a year earlier.

Summary

Tesla's European sales are plummeting, with Germany seeing a 60% drop despite strong EV growth. Similar declines hit Norway, Sweden, and France.

While some blame the Osborne effect—buyers delaying purchases for a refreshed Model Y—Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD may also be repelling customers.

Online backlash has linked Tesla to fascist imagery. In contrast, UK sales fell only 7.8%, suggesting political factors play a role.

With strong domestic EV competition in Europe, Tesla’s reputation crisis could further hurt demand.

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98 comments

You couldn’t pay me to drive one
- Dude every single time one of my uber/lyft drivers picks me up in a Tesla, I alwats have some kind of issue. The door handles fail to extend to let me get in (what problem was this design even solving?), when I’m inside the way to open the door is so counter-intuitive even after doing it a few times it still takes me way too long to get it open (dumbest design ever…it’s just a button?), the seatbelt buckle doesn’t click, etc.. Cheap fuckin construction.
  Just terrible, stupid, designs. Add in the fascist bullshit? Fucking forget it. This asshole is ruining a good chance to cut down on emissions by being the face of EVs
  
  This asshole is ruining a good chance to cut down on emissions by being the face of EVs
  maybe that was the plan
  
  The door handles were supposed to be more aerodynamic, but other manufacturers have solved the issue more elegantly.
  
  We’re the four handles really adding that much drag? I can’t imagine.
  
  Not that much, but definitely measurable. A Tesla competitor did some tests and they got a 1% range increase.
  Replacing side mirrors with cameras also has a similar impact, but costs like 3.000 euros as an option.
  So your choice of wheels has a bigger impact, but it's not totally pointless. And cheap to do.
  
  Traditional door handles actually reduce smug flow by 60% - the Tesla door handles produce a much more smugrodynamic profile.
  
  The door handles are just fucking dumb... and on the inside the door release is a... button? Why?
  
  A button which requires the car's power to be working.
  Don't worry, there is an emergency release! It takes a little while to get to, so I hope the burning Tesla you're trapped inside doesn't burn too quickly.
  
  "Give me a lever long enough, and a place to stand, and I will move the earth" - 287-212 BC
  "Just give me a damn lever" - 2025
  
  To give the car time to lower the window a few millimeters and avoid damaging the seal. Plus someone probably thought it would look cool or something. There's a manual release in case the car loses power, or something breaks.
  It's not unique to Teslas either, a few other cars have done the same thing.

98 comments