As President Trump’s billionaire supporter continues to exercise control over the federal government, the criticism against the electric vehicle firm has gotten more intense.
Jennifer Trebb described it as “kind of like a ‘Back to the Future’ moment” when she first pulled into her driveway two years ago in her sleek Tesla Model Y.
She claimed that in addition to being environmentally conscious, owning a Tesla was also a status symbol. “Having something that was unique and inventive was definitely a little bit of a cool moment,” she remarked.
Ms Trebb, however, recently reversed course and joined the ranks of Tesla owners in the US and abroad, some of whom are well-known, such as singer Sheryl Crow, who are selling their cars because they claim that Elon Musk, the company’s billionaire CEO, is alienating them with his politics and values, and that his position in the Trump administration, where he has authority over the federal government, has made the situation worse.
The buyer’s regret is occurring at a risky time for Tesla, as the company’s stock fell by double digits over the past week, wiping out the majority of a post-election rise. According to a recent research, sales in Europe are declining, and the company’s market position is being eroded by growing competition from rival E.V. manufacturers. Notable incidents of harassment of Tesla owners and recent demonstrations outside US Tesla dealerships have also garnered media attention.
Despite having only 10,000 miles on her Tesla, Ms. Trebb, 54, a Democrat and family therapist, said she had made the decision to exchange it for a gas-powered Mercedes, taking $32,000 of the vehicle’s initial $55,880 value. She claimed that a recent trip to the grocery store solidified her choice.
She added an expletive when she remarked, “I was called a Nazi in the Kroger parking lot two weeks ago.” “That’s it,” I informed my spouse when I got home. I’m finished.
