Hollywood Can't Ditch Its Teslas Fast Enough:"They're Destroying Their Leases.."
Hollywood’s move to distance itself from Tesla over Elon Musk’s politics has reignited a broader debate about the company’s cars, from their design and safety trade-offs to the strength of the Supercharger network and competition from Ford, Hyundai, Porsche, Rivian, and Chinese EV makers. Participants weigh whether Tesla still offers the best value and technology as EV sales soften and rivals improve, while also questioning how much Musk’s polarizing behavior, “free speech” stance on X, and culture-war positioning should influence purchasing decisions. Many acknowledge Tesla’s engineering achievements but worry that Musk’s personal brand is now damaging both the company’s image and long-term appeal.
Perceived Quality and Alternatives to Tesla
- Some argue Teslas are still the best overall EVs; others say they’ve long been surpassed in quality by European and Asian brands.
- Lucid and Porsche are cited as “best” EVs but at high price points and with heavy depreciation, similar to many EVs.
- Multiple alternatives are praised: Ford F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Renault Scenic E-Tech, Polestar, Porsche Taycan, with some saying they’d now choose these over a Model 3/Y.
- Others counter that “there really aren’t” many true competitors when factoring feature/performance/price.
Charging, Range, and Practicality
- Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely seen as a historic key advantage, though some say it matters less now as other networks grow.
- Non-Tesla charging is described as fragmented and annoying, especially with multiple networks and lock-in.
- Some report Ioniq 5 and other models matching or beating Model Y range at similar prices; others are skeptical and request data.
- Chinese EVs (e.g., Nio, BYD) are cited with long-range packs and fast battery swapping, but their availability is uneven globally.
EV Market and Economics
- One view: EV sales stagnation is primarily Tesla-specific; other makers are at record volumes.
- Counterpoint: European trade data suggests EV demand is down across many brands.
- Claims that several manufacturers (Rivian, VW, Chinese makers) lose money on EVs, while Tesla is said to retain positive gross margins and room to cut prices further; this is disputed or labeled as incomplete in places.
Musk’s Persona, Politics, and Brand Impact
- Many commenters think Musk has alienated a large portion of Tesla’s original, environmentally focused customer base and “stained” his reputation.
- Some see Hollywood dropping Teslas as prioritizing culture wars over environmental impact; others say sticking with Teslas despite Musk would also be culture-war driven.
- A minority explicitly support Musk more because of his stance on “free speech” and his role at SpaceX, and plan future Tesla/Cybertruck purchases.
- Others challenge the “free speech” narrative, citing bans and moderation controversies, and argue he resembles an online provocateur more than a heroic innovator.
Consumer Ethics and Status
- Several Tesla owners love the product but are actively planning to switch brands out of discomfort with Musk.
- Opponents call this irrational “cutting your nose to spite your face”; supporters respond that leadership, long-term support, and brand association legitimately matter.
- Some note Teslas are no longer the same status symbol, which may also reduce their appeal in certain circles.
Safety and Design Concerns
- Tesla’s emergency door releases are debated: some say they’re simple and fears are FUD; others share examples (e.g., rear-seat pull wires hidden under panels) that they find unacceptable, especially for children.
- Cybertruck’s ability to pass European safety and pedestrian standards is doubted by some, who believe it will not be sold there in current form.