Tesla trade-ins reach record high amid Musk’s slash-and-burn of federal government

Brand loyalty is becoming a bigger question mark as factors such as Elon Musk's increasing public involvement in government, Tesla depreciation concerns and its increased saturation in major metro areas leave some longtime owners feeling disconnected from the brand,

Edmunds' head of insights Jessica Caldwell said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch

I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla,

he said on social media

I’m going to buy because number one, it’s a great product,

Trump said at the event

We're talking about firefighters, police officers, nurses who work in public,

Frerichs said of Illinoisans

When you actively call for the financial destruction of an American company, you are harming those workers before anybody else, and you're harming the pensioners whose pensions are invested in that fund, like public school teachers and members of law enforcement,

Oleka told DailyMail.com of the Tesla protests

Certain investors might feel all this bad news is fully priced in and it is now time to buy,

said Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell

Brands like Tesla, which have a relatively limited model lineup, are particularly vulnerable to registration declines when undertaking a model changeover,

Munoz said

Elon MuskcEO

In the USA, no one is going to buy this car aside from MAGA [Republicans who back Trump]. But MAGA are not well known for their love of EVs… And how much is insurance gonna cost if every Tesla is now a moving target

they added, referring to growing attacks on the brand due to Musk's politics

The only way this recovers is if Elon sells his entire stake, steps down 100%, and issues a genuine apology for his behavior. It's not going to happen."

Another said

Musk only has 24 hours in a day,

Gerber pointed out, emphasising

There are many shareholders who are strong devotee of Musk. Despite the recent decline in Tesla's stock price, the company has in the past done extraordinarily well under Musk and whatever shareholders may think about Musk politically, the fact that he made many shareholders rich will temper any opposition to him."

Marcel Kahan, a New York University law professor, to Newsweek

I don't think a forced removal is likely, although the news cycle surrounding Elon Musk is so volatile that I can't predict anything with confidence. Tesla investors voted to restore Musk's pay package just last June, which I interpret as strong shareholder support for Musk."

Kelly Shue, a Yale University professor of finance, to Newsweek

They're not going to do anything he doesn't say,

Gerber said

Why has the board of directors sat quietly while so much brand value has been eroded to the point that cars are being set on fire?"

he said

Yet, with Tesla's valuation now under significant pressure, a prolonged downturn could amplify concerns about Musk's leadership. If shareholders begin to view his actions as liabilities rather than assets, the board may face increased pressure to reassess his role,

Park said

We are unequivocally opposed to any effort to remove Elon as CEO. He has created immense value for shareholders and has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to manage multiple ventures successfully,

he said

In fact, I don't think it's even reasonable for him to be in this role, given his government position. It is a massive conflict of interest, against the American public,

he said

The returns he has generated for our clients speak for themselves,

he said

We've never done anything harmful, I've never done anything harmful,

he said

The best resolution would be a gradual transition of power, in which Musk steps back voluntarily while helping another internally respected and externally known tech visionary (e.g., Tesla's CTO) to assume Musk's role,

he said