With only 2 customers having left Tesla since Elon Musk bought Twitter, the Octopus EV has had minimal impact on Tesla’s sales, its CEO pointed out.
Fiona Howarth told the Financial Times that only two customers decided to switch makes. Elon Musk has become an increasingly polarizing figure since his acquisition of Twitter last October.
Elon Musk has become increasingly controversial since taking to Twitter last October, but specialist leasing firm Octopus EV says there is little evidence that his conduct has affected sales of Tesla cars. Just two of more than 1,000 Tesla customers of the Octopus EV turned to Elon Musk’s decision on Twitter last year for a second change, its CEO Fiona Howarth told the Financial Times.
While smaller, she said the dip is still worth noting how loyal Tesla customers generally are. Three longtime Tesla owners recently told Insider that they’re giving up on their cars over Elon Musk’s antics on Twitter.
Bob Perkowitz, a self-described former fanboy, said he hasn’t bought a new Tesla because of Elon Musk’s apparent right-wing views, his turbulent Twitter acquisition and his radical emphasis on free speech, which he fears will spread misinformation.
Investors in Tesla shares have also been voting with their feet in recent months. The stock traded on Friday at its lowest level since August 2020, prompting one investor to question whether Musk is intentionally tanking the carmaker.
But it’s not all on Twitter. Tesla also fell victim to a broad drop in demand for electric vehicles last year, especially in China – one of its biggest markets. The company ended the year by offering discounts as prices for used Teslas dropped.
According to Bloomberg, Elon Musk’s net worth will drop by $200 billion in 2022, the largest and fastest individual loss on record.