Tesla owners

[Moorfellduck]

I would never buy a Tesla now - literally over my dead body. I think Musk is dangerous and delusional and don't want to be associated with him in any way. I've got a few friends that have Tesla's and I know that they feel a bit conflicted. I guess they are kind of stuck with them for now.

If you've got one do you feel bad driving it and feel that people might be judging you now or do you dissociate the brand from Musk himself? I not a journo, just interest given how popular they are and a bit 🤔that people think it's okay to buy one now given they can make a choice that isn't contributing to Musks wealth and power.

Totally agree. Not sure anyone making those accusations understands the political backgrounds of the leaders of all the companies they buy from.

Are you calling me a Nazi due to the fact that I may buy a certain car in future?

I'm not calling you Nazi, not at all, but I'm saying that I believe you're lacking any moral principles by choosing a bit of extra comfort/convenience over something which possibly defines future of world democracy.

Maybe this is an age thing ?

My DM used to boycott South African goods in the 60s and 70s. Possibly because she foresaw that a massive Nazi cunt would one day emerge from there, but more likely because she was fundamentally opposed to putting a single penny (old money !) into such an abominable regime. Rather unreasonably going by this thread she disliked racists and Nazis.

Mainly this meant avoiding SA fruit. However it wasn't that hard, as few shops where we lived seemed to stock SA produce anyway.

But there is a difference between quietly having abhorrent morals (quite possibly the case for many business leaders,.agreed) and someone who builds on their profits to form allegiances with a known despot (Putin) before orchestrating a coup and taking charge of the US (in all but title) abhorrent and destructive fashion (including breaching all sorts of protocols to access sensitive and highly confidential data about individuals) whilst stirring up pro nazi sentiment and performing the nazi salute on the world stage

The bottom line is this poster makes a lot of sense to a lot of people. In a way that it wouldn't if it were (say) BMW. Or Mercedes.

That in itself is telling.

That is true to be fair

If only Polestar had put in a back window...Sigh. Although, to be fair, I suspect the sun visors in the X were invented by Musk himself, because only a fascist would have come up with them.

Reminds me of how VolksWagon started

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_K%C3%BCbelwagen

I looked at a Polestar and the lady in the showroom said I should probably buy a Tesla instead - she did have a German accent and a suspicious moustache though.
Totally agree about the sun visors - maybe that will mean I don't buy another Tesla and can pretend it was due to Musks politics instead so I can polish my halo

and ...

absolutely brilliant, should be spread widely!

Led by donkeys did some good work too

Good news in the paper in Sweden this morning: Tesla sold 45% fewer cars in Europe in January 2025 compared to January 2024, this is whilst the overall EV sales have gone up by 37%. Tesla's total share of the new car market in January 2024 was 1.8%, now it's 1%. At least the support for Musk is starting to noticably dwindle and I can't imagine it can ever pick up again.

Fewer sales will lead to less dealers and maintenance getting (even) more expensive.

Tesla owners are already paying extra for the insurance - they are not cheap to fix.

I saw an advert mage going g around this morning showing how to tell the new style Tesla Model Y from the previous one by the front and rear lights.

It was stating in no uncertain terms that anyone getting the model just coming out was supporting Musk's post-salute ideology but those with the older style could well be innocent of that.

I'm old enough to remember when VW badges became popular with a certain demographic. Insurance on VWs soared for a while.

Oh yes! @Snoken not just in Sweden, it's FT as well:

Tesla starts 2025 with sharp drop in sales in Europe

There is some glimpse of hope!
I hope Tesla and Twatter will become a total social taboo!

Life is short - drive a Tesla!!

https://www.dagens.com/autos/ex-tesla-insider-slams-ceo-musk-has-checked-out-of-tesla

You do realise that can be read more than one way ?😀

Maybe avoiding advertising was best for you.

Anyway, there is a UK rival to the Tesla now

I dont think that we should rush to judge those who do buy a Tesla too harshly. They’re a mass market car that virtually created the EV market, and for price conscious consumers they stil make a lot of sense. I wouldn’t judge someone for buying a car that fitted their budget, as the alternative cheap EVs are mainly Chinese with the moral baggage that comes with them anyway. This is changing quite quickly though.

Even if you move up to the more premium manufacturers there’s no guarantee they’re not Chinese - Volvos, and Smart cars are effectively Chinese. If you rule out price, there are plenty of other options but not everyone can afford them. American car makers have never built cars for European tastes really, and we are just seeing a reversion to norm now others have caught up and overtaken them on the tech front. They can’t rely on the continued failed promises of better tech coming when they have been overtaken.

We have Tesla’s and would buy again. I wouldn’t take any notice if someone was judging me.

The repair costs are obscene particularly for batteries. 10 to 20k. Soon these white elephants will be very cheap to buy, irrespective of who owns it.