Hollywood Can't Ditch Its Teslas Fast Enough:"They're Destroying Their Leases.."

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

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.