🔄 “Redemption Tour” in Response to Buyer Backlash
CleanTechnica reports Musk is publicly criticizing the Trump-backed tax bill as a “disgusting abomination,” apparently in an attempt to distance Tesla from his own political affiliations and alleviate vaping buyer sentiment around the brand.
Musk has also rolled out a botched FSD (Full Self‑Driving) demonstration featuring a robotaxi “factory‑to‑doorstep” drive—widely panned as staged and range‑limited—not exactly the momentum Tesla needs.
😬 Shifting Public Sentiment & Sales
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D.C.–area remorse: Many Tesla owners in Washington, D.C. have expressed regret, even placing “I bought this before I knew he was crazy” bumper stickers on their vehicles; some have even sold their cars to dissociate.
Record trade‑ins: By mid-March 2025, Teslas saw a 1.4 % trade-in rate—over three times higher than the same period last year—driven largely by owner dissatisfaction with Musk’s political role.
Bay Area impact: Tesla owners in San Francisco and the Bay Area are actively offloading vehicles—some even accepting financial losses—to avoid being associated with Musk; dealerships have reported a surge in Tesla trade-ins .
📉 Brand & Market Consequences
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Tesla’s stock has plunged ~30–50 % since its December 2024 peak (from ≈ $480 to mid‑$200s)
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