A significant downward spiral in Tesla’s brand reputation and sales is directly attributable to Elon Musk’s political choices, particularly his leadership of the Trump administration’s “Doge” department, asserts marketing professor Scott Galloway. On the Pivot podcast, Galloway contends that Musk has successfully alienated the very people most likely to buy his electric cars by aligning with a political base largely uninterested in EVs.
Compelling statistics underline Galloway’s argument: Tesla’s brand reputation has plummeted from a top-tier 8th position to a dismal 95th. In Europe, a crucial EV market, sales have taken a substantial hit, with figures showing steep declines across numerous nations. Musk’s public political commentary, especially on his platform X, is seen as a key factor in this consumer backlash. Financially, Tesla is feeling the pinch, reporting a staggering 71% decline in profits. Following these setbacks, Musk has announced that his time commitment to “Doge” will significantly decrease, citing the near completion of his government financial reform efforts.