I buy cars that I enjoy and don't really care what image I may be portraying. Never have.
I'll concede that many do and for them, owing a Tesla is a problem at the moment. I'm on the committee of the Tesla Owners Club of Australia and get notes and questions from disgruntled customers about Elon all the time.
But... But...
The people sending me these questions and comments are the early adopters of the brand. They were the people that bought these cars to be green and virtue signal to the world. These people are a minority today. People today don't care about these things and are buying them for the cheapness of ownership and nothing to do with the environment. That they are still one of the best EVs on the market with the best charging network in the country.
Just look at the fact Tesla sold out their launch edition Model Y, albeit the base RWD, and you'll see at least in Australia, people are disconnected from the US politics.
The Tesla stand at the Everything Electric show was packed all day everyday! So many orders placed on the day as well.
So, whilst I think he has hurt a few sales from those who like to virtue signal and subscribe to your definition that what you consume is somehow a reflection of yourself, the majority just want something reliable to get from A to B in the cheapest way possible and continue to buy the cars.
