Tesla sales drop 35% in San Diego County

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Scale and Causes of the Sales Drop

  • Some see a 35% decline as surprisingly small; others call it “huge” compared with typical boycotts (e.g., Bud Light).
  • One camp argues the drop is mostly operational: Model Y lines were shut down globally for a refresh, Tesla started the quarter with very low inventory, and new Y deliveries only begin around April–May.
  • Another camp insists politics and brand damage are core drivers, not just production timing, pointing to public appeals from political leaders to buy Teslas as evidence Tesla is worried.

Politics, Salute Controversy, and Backlash

  • A major thread centers on the widely circulated video of Musk’s arm gesture:
    • Some say it’s obviously a Nazi salute done twice, and note there has been no serious clarification, only mockery of critics.
    • Others strongly deny it’s a Sieg Heil, suggest misinterpretation (including citing autism/odd gestures), and ask for concrete evidence of explicit Nazi sympathies.
  • Musk’s broader right‑wing alignment, association with Trump, and perceived fascist/neo‑fascist tendencies are cited as reasons for boycotts and personal revulsion.
  • There’s debate over whether vandalism and arson against Teslas are being incorrectly framed as “boycotts.”
    • Some call it terrorism and condemn media that downplay it.
    • Others emphasize that such attacks are rare compared with large, peaceful protests and consumer boycotts.

Consumer Choices and Brand Perception

  • Multiple commenters say they canceled or avoided Tesla purchases in favor of Hyundai/Kia, VW, Volvo and other EVs, often explicitly due to Musk’s politics and/or ethics.
  • Teslas are described as strong “signal” purchases; what was once a moral/climate statement now feels tainted or socially awkward for many prior fans.
  • Some argue “Elon ≠ Tesla” and condemn targeting owners; others respond that the stock and brand are tightly bound to Musk’s persona and political role.

EV Market, Tech, and Safety

  • Several note EV sales and non‑Tesla brands are rising in Europe even as Tesla declines.
  • Discussion of FSD centers on whether pure vision is viable; critics say lidar/radar are needed for safety and cite poor Tesla performance in fog and contrived obstacles.
  • Cost‑cutting (removing sensors) is seen by some as “Muntzing” gone too far, driven by Musk’s instincts and surrounded by yes‑men.

Valuation, Strategy, and Future

  • Commenters highlight Tesla’s extremely high P/E vs other automakers despite slowing growth, no new mass‑market models since Model Y, and rising competition.
  • One perspective: Tesla’s valuation is really a bet on Musk personally (including influence over government), plus non‑auto bets (energy storage, charging network, robotics).
  • Others argue Tesla’s growth “moat” is gone; politically, Musk has alienated core climate‑conscious buyers, making the brand a long‑term liability.

Wider Political Context

  • A long sub‑thread debates the “DOGE” government cuts: some believe it’s about debt control; others say it undermines constitutional checks, increases deficits, and is driven by ideology rather than fiscal reality.
  • There’s disagreement over the role and legitimacy of the federal bureaucracy and whether current actions are reform or destructive power‑grab.