Is Tesla's image forever tarnished by politics?

It took years to build Tesla’s image of excellence and innovation, and only a few days to destroy it.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, today claims to be shocked by the increase in acts of vandalism targeting his poor cars. For Musk, this hostility would be linked to the anti-fraud measures he imposed through DOGE. “When you stop people from committing fraud, they become furious”, he declared, going so far as to label his opponents as terrorists. Here is a brief summary of a tremendous waste.

One thing is certain, Musk is mistaken, perhaps intentionally, when he links this hostility to the political reforms he is pursuing as part of the mission assigned to him by Donald Trump. Buying a car is based on concrete criteria. For its performance, its design, the social status it provides, or simply to go from point A to point B! Whatever the reasons for the purchase, no sane driver can accept that their car ostentatiously displays political ideas instead of passengers or luggage. The unrest is not related to Elon Musk’s political orientations, but simply to the fact that Elon Musk has now become a politician. And when he claims that “HIS” cars are being burned to “HURT” him, he is only strengthening the link between himself and the brand, and thus the hostility toward both.

It is now clear that Musk needs to step back to protect the Tesla brand. By mixing his political ambitions with his role as a leader, he exposes the company to controversies that severely damage its image. This is all the more sad because Tesla’s name, once synonymous with innovation and quality, now makes headlines in the media, including Mobiwisy, for reasons far removed from the performance of its cars. No one can legitimately criticize the excellence of Tesla vehicles and their contribution to the energy transition. Seeing the company overshadowed by external disputes is deeply sad.

Musk must take a step back to allow Tesla to regain neutrality and focus on the essentials: designing cars that continue to inspire admiration and respect. Tesla’s future depends on a return to its fundamentals, away from political turbulence.