Mon Mar 10 15:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Tesla Sales Dip Amidst Growing Backlash Against Elon Musk

**New York, NY** – Tesla’s US sales experienced another decline in February, falling nearly 6 percent compared to the same month last year, according to Kelley Blue Book. This drop, coupled with significantly larger international sales decreases (over 75 percent in Europe and 65 percent in Australia), is fueling speculation that the mounting public criticism of CEO Elon Musk is impacting the company’s retail performance.

While some analysts attribute the decline to inventory issues, the awaited refresh of the Model Y, and increased competition, others point to a burgeoning grassroots movement aiming to directly impact Tesla’s brand and sales. “TeslaTakedown,” a campaign organized through a website of the same name, has seen protests outside Tesla showrooms across over 100 US cities since mid-February. These demonstrations, garnering significant media attention, aim to devalue the Tesla brand and are fueled by growing concerns over Musk’s political stances and leadership decisions.

The movement, spearheaded by documentary filmmaker Alex Winter and disinformation researcher Joan Donovan, has already seen participation swell from 50 protestors at its inception to 300 within three weeks. Participants cite a range of grievances, including Musk’s promotion of Dogecoin and his political affiliations. The movement is gaining traction across various social media platforms, with some Tesla owners publicly divesting from the brand, citing Musk’s actions as their primary reason.

Despite the protests and negative publicity, Tesla maintains a dominant 48.7 percent share of the US EV market. Analysts suggest that the average consumer’s purchasing decisions are still largely driven by price and perceived value, potentially overshadowing concerns about Musk’s public image. However, Tesla’s share price has seen a significant decline, prompting concerns that the negative narrative surrounding Musk could ultimately have a substantial impact on the company’s financial performance. Some analysts warn that Tesla’s current valuation is significantly inflated, making it vulnerable to targeted activism and negative press. The long-term effects of TeslaTakedown remain to be seen, but the movement has already injected a significant level of uncertainty into the future of the electric vehicle giant.

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