Musk has witnessed a mass sell-off of Teslas in recent weeks, in protest against his unprecedented intrusion into the US government through the so-called “department of government efficiency”. Sales of new vehicles have declined around the world, with February sales in Australia down about 72% compared with the same month in 2024; in Germany sales were down 76% for the same period, while Tesla’s stock price has lost almost half its value since December.

As protests have grown, the White House has rallied round Musk. Last week Donald Trump claimed the boycott was “illegal”, while Pam Bondi, the attorney general, said on Friday she would launch an investigation into vandalism against Tesla vehicles and showrooms.

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In Brooklyn, people were apparently undeterred by the threat. Teslas driving past the protest were treated to a volley of boos, and lusty chants of “Sell your Tesla”. The demonstration certainly appeared to have restricted the number of people entering the dealership: the Guardian counted three customers in the space of an hour and a half.

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  • xmunk
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    2 days ago

    Atrioc is indeed pretty insightful as to the actual reasons why Tesla is viewed as an albatross - the fact that major stakeholders are selling off shares as soon as they acquire them should be a big warning sign. They are still massively over valued of course.

    My takeaway is that protests and the like should start going after his other businesses especially SpaceX. His fucking fantasy is Mars and we should take that away from him.

    • Carmakazi@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      A lot harder to go after aerospace factories and launch sites, both of which are at least “secure areas” in the commercial sense if not “restricted areas” in the national security sense.

      • xmunk
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        2 days ago

        I agree that it’s easier to go after starlink contracts and express disappointment to those working for Musk rather than going to the sites themselves.

    • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      2 days ago

      His fucking fantasy is Mars and we should take that away from him.

      That was a lie so he could get government contracts to build missiles. It was a fucking sales pitch.

      • xmunk
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        2 days ago

        Musk lies a lot so I can’t be certain but I think he genuinely wants to be remembered as “The Father of Mars” or some bullshit. I think that fantasy is the real infantile Musk poking through.