The electric car market is buzzing with change. Some people who once loved their Teslas are now trading them in. Why? It is all about the company's CEO, Elon Musk. His political views and actions have upset many people. They do not want to be linked to him anymore.
Musk's support for former President Donald Trump and his controversial statements have been a big turn-off. People like Senator Mark Kelly and actor Jason Bateman have publicly ditched their Teslas. They say driving a Tesla feels like supporting Trump. Musician Sheryl Crow even sold her Tesla and donated the money to NPR. She said she did not want to be associated with Musk anymore.
The Bagleys, a couple from Arizona, bought a Tesla Y last year. They thought Musk was a hero for the environment. But when Musk's political views became clearer, they had a change of heart. They traded in their Tesla for a Cadillac Lyric. They said they could not stand the idea of supporting someone who represents divisiveness and inequality.
Megan Paulus, a teacher from New Jersey, inherited her husband's Tesla Y. She loved the car, but Musk's actions worried her. She did not want to be tied to him. She even got a bumper sticker that said, "I bought the car before I knew how awful Elon Musk was. " She is thinking about selling the car.
Not everyone is ditching their Teslas, though. Some people, like Jerel Chacko, a doctor from New Jersey, can separate the car from the CEO. He loves his Tesla Y and sees it as a good product, regardless of Musk's actions. He wishes more people could do the same.
Andrew Johnson from Arizona was disturbed when Trump displayed a fleet of Teslas on the White House lawn. He rents out his Tesla, but after seeing that display, he decided he did not want it anymore. He said it felt wrong to support Musk after seeing his political actions.
Tonya Parker from Atlanta had a similar experience. She bought a Tesla last year, but as Musk's political views became clearer, she decided she did not want to be associated with him. She sold her Tesla and said she wanted to make a statement.
Tamaira Johnson from San Diego loves her Teslas. She owns two and rents one out for extra income. She thinks Tesla is still the best in the EV industry. But she does not like representing Musk's brand. She is stuck with her Teslas for now because of financial reasons, but she does not like being tied to Musk.
