In 2012, Janis Brown bought her first Tesla, a stunning dark green Model S. Living in Sunnyvale, she and her husband loved cruising around the Bay Area in their cool, eco-friendly ride. They even had a special plate that read “Geeks Rule,” a nod to their scientific careers. But over the years, their excitement faded.
This change happened as they watched Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, embroil himself in several controversies, like significant layoffs at Twitter and political turbulence. Disappointed by Musk’s actions and views, especially his support for the Trump administration, Brown felt embarrassed to be a Tesla owner. Earlier this year, she removed the cherished plate and sold her car through Carvana. “I didn’t want people to think I shared his beliefs,” she explained.
Brown’s story mirrors a growing trend in the region. Many Bay Area residents are distancing themselves from Tesla and its CEO. In 2024, Tesla’s California sales dropped by 11.6%, from over 230,000 to just 203,221 vehicles. This marks Tesla’s first sales decline, coinciding with turbulent stock performance. Tesla’s stock fell by about 52% from its peak last December, reflecting a larger discontent among consumers.
Another couple, Brian Ambrosch and Shelley Facente, made the same choice. They traded in their beloved Model 3 for a different electric vehicle after becoming disillusioned with Musk, citing his dismissive comments toward marginalized groups. Despite their deep attachment to the car, they felt they had to make a change. “I never looked back, and I haven’t regretted it,” Facente said.
Monika Gorkani from Los Gatos sold her Model 3, once a symbol of hope for the future of sustainable energy. As Musk’s public persona shifted, her admiration faded. “I didn’t want to support him anymore,” she said.
The decision to sell contrasted sharply with just a decade ago when Californians were eager to buy the latest Teslas. Now, protests against Musk have become common outside Tesla showrooms, reflecting anger toward the company’s leadership.
While many choose to walk away from Tesla, pockets of enthusiasm remain. Car clubs, like Tesla Owners East Bay, continue to encourage camaraderie among owners, hosting events to celebrate electric vehicles. President John Stringer firmly believes in Tesla’s mission beyond Musk. “Tesla employs tens of thousands of people in California,” he remarked, showing pride in the brand’s legacy.
Despite the current backlash, a recent study by S&P Global Mobility found that electric vehicle registrations overall are still rising, with more people turning to sustainable alternatives as the auto industry evolves. This shift indicates that while some Tesla owners are distancing themselves from Musk, the movement toward electric vehicles is far from over.
For more details on electric vehicle trends, you can explore the latest findings in the S&P Global Mobility report.
Tesla is at a crossroads, and while controversies swirl around Musk, the future of electric vehicles remains bright.
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Source linkTesla, Bay Area, Tesla Owners, Elon Musk
