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.
Musk’s clown car of leadership finally careens into reality. When your CEO’s political acumen involves cosplaying as a far-right edgelord, even Europe’s EV adopters—historically tolerant of overpriced gadgets—start side-eyeing the brand. Tesla’s not a car company anymore; it’s a vanity project for a man who thinks “free speech” means platforming Nazis.
Meanwhile, European automakers are quietly eating Tesla’s lunch with actual innovation, not just empty hype. Musk’s fanbase? A shrinking cult of tech bros and crypto gamblers. The rest of us? We’ve moved on to cars that don’t come with a side of embarrassing billionaire tantrums.
Democracy’s broken? Sure. But watching Musk torch his own empire? Chef’s kiss.
What’s the difference between someone cosplaying as a far-right edgelord and an actual far-right edgelord?
The difference? One is a poser draped in the aesthetics of reactionary outrage to court attention and controversy, while the other is fully marinated in the ideology, living and breathing it. The former plays dress-up for clout; the latter believes the costume is their skin.
But let’s not split hairs—both are toxic. Whether it’s cosplay or conviction, the result is the same: amplifying regressive garbage under the guise of “provocation.” One just happens to be better at monetizing it.
I must say congratulations to Mr. Musk on finally finding that one special picture that will live on in the history books. You wanted to be remembered, and you are well on your way to having the name “Elon” be right up there with “Adolf” when people are choosing names for their children.
Elon Shitler has a nice ring to it. #PresidentElon please use this hashtag in all your sm post. We need to sew divide wherever we can and baby Trump really cares about shit like this. ✊🏻
I bet someday we (the younger side of Lemmy) will be helping our kids with history homework and get jumpscared by this pic.
I kind of think this was intentional, because the picture everyone used before this was the dorky one of him jumping at the Trump rally. I’m sure he prefers this one.
I wasn’t thinking of it that way, but you are probably right.
I was thinking he can’t have real immortality so he settled on being as memorable as possible. But in his twisted conservative mind, maybe this is him wanting to be remembered as a hardass rather than an [insert slur for gay men].
Two of my coworkers were the biggest Elon fanboys and were the first in the office to drive Teslas. That was years ago though. I hear a lot less from them now. I wonder why…
I’d be bloody embarrassed if I drove one.
The Rivian R3X can’t come soon enough.
I’m probably not your coworker, but it was the case with me. I liked the guy when he was a weird nerd and I liked the car.
I still like the car to be honest but I’m seriously considering buying a bumper sticker with “I bought this before I knew he was a Nazi”.
No way I’m buying another one as long and he’s related to the company in any way.
Fuck around and find out is his new M.O.
Hopefully, the Tesla nose dive spreads to his other businesses.
Swatzicar!!!
Not sure if it’s just the promotion of the far-right parties.
For me at the latest after his “Heil Hitler” salute I’d be completely ashamed driving that car.
Might be interesting to see the exact daily timeline of the sales, if it collapsed after the 20th january.
If I ever see a fucking Cybertruck here, I’m moving to Antarctica.
when is international break a Tesla window day?
These are working class people you are talking about. Please keep the focus on millionaires and billionaires.
I wish they stopped using that image of Musk. It makes all the different news items look the same.
I was about to say the opposite. I am delighted that they put the same picture of this Nazi every time there is an article about him or Tesla. Keep up the good work, and never forget that he’s a Nazi.
It should be the only image ever shown of Musk from now on.
Nazi shit does shit head thing
