Tesla reports 1.1% sales drop for 2024, first annual decline in at least 9 years

Overall sentiment toward Tesla and Musk

• Thread is highly polarized.
• Many say they will not buy another Tesla (or ever buy one) primarily because of the CEO’s behavior and politics, despite liking the cars.
• Others report their Teslas are the best cars they’ve owned and separate the product from the CEO.
• Several note that Tesla’s brand has shifted from “aspirational green tech” to “toxic / embarrassing” in some social circles.

EV ownership experience & practicality

• Cold-weather performance is a recurring concern: reduced range, energy spent heating batteries and cabin; some plug-in hybrids also struggle in very low temps.
• Home charging is seen as near-essential; renters and apartment dwellers describe this as a major barrier.
• Some owners say EVs are excellent primary cars and even preferred for road trips; others say they’re best as second cars due to range and charging hassle.
• UI criticism: reliance on touchscreens for basic functions, removal of stalks, and information overload are seen by some as unsafe or unpleasant.

Charging infrastructure and maintenance

• Tesla’s Supercharger network is widely praised as a major advantage over other EVs.
• Non-Tesla fast-charging experiences are described as unreliable (broken stations, long waits).
• Disagreement on maintenance: some report very low running costs and long battery life; others worry about tire wear, battery degradation, and eventual replacement.

Politics, ethics, and boycotts

• Strong discussion of the CEO’s public political alignment with right-wing and far-right figures, anti-trans positions, and inflammatory online behavior.
• Some argue this makes the company un-buyable regardless of product quality; others see this as overreaction or prefer “knowing where a billionaire stands” to hidden influence.
• Broader debate about the political power of billionaires and the rarity of such overt partisanship from a major tech figure.

Market dynamics, competition, and valuation

• Several note Tesla’s first annual sales decline after years of rapid growth and suggest U.S./EU EV demand for Tesla’s price tier may be saturated.
• Chinese manufacturers, especially BYD, are highlighted as rapidly growing competitors with large NEV volumes (majority PHEV) and strong BEV sales; tariffs are seen as key to limiting U.S. impact.
• Tesla’s market cap is widely viewed as disconnected from its status as roughly the 13th-largest automaker by revenue.
• Used EV prices and depreciation are debated: some see poor resale as evidence of weak demand; others argue tax credits and vehicle mix distort comparisons.