By Natasha Fujimoto
UNLESS you’ve been living in a vacuum for the past three months, you’re likely aware of the extraordinary events taking place in the United States since President Donald Trump’s inauguration and the concurrent rise of DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk.
As the world’s richest man, worth around US $327.3 billion, Musk’s leadership at DOGE, which has been aggressively slashing federal jobs and funding across key U.S. government departments, has left a bitter taste in many mouths.
The CEO of behemoth companies like SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), XAI, and Tesla, Musk’s high-profile leadership has been in free fall since DOGE’s storming of government agencies, not to mention the infamous “salute” that further stirred controversy.
But how has this affected the technology-loving and environmentally-conscious Tesla drivers, who have had to endure daily reports of Tesla showroom vandalism, including in Tasmania, defacing of vehicles, and dramatic drops in the brand’s reputation, not to mention a plunge in global stocks and sales?
One such driver, a local professional from Shepparton who purchased a Tesla Model Y nearly two years ago, shared his experience with the car. He was drawn to it for its efficiency, intuitive technology, and user-friendly drivability. He said:
“It’s great not needing to regularly go to a fuel station or a mechanic for servicing. The most significant benefit is how easy the car is to drive. Features like autopilot (autosteer), cruise control, adaptive braking, and acceleration make longer trips much less physically taxing than our previous, older car.”
When asked how he felt about the global backlash against the brand due to Musk’s indivisible association, he said:
“People now immediately connect Tesla with Musk. I personally find some of his views and behaviour embarrassing at best and abhorrent at worst. Other car brands have their stereotypes or typical owners, but I don’t think any other manufacturer right now has such a strong link between the product and the company’s leader.
“I’ve received a lot of light-hearted but negative remarks about being a Tesla driver, and of course, about Musk. I’ve never felt unsafe in or around my car, but I do worry about it being vandalised. That said, the external cameras and security in Teslas are very good.”
As this editorial goes to press, Tesla’s sales in Australia have fallen by around 60 per cent compared to the same time last year. Sales in Europe have likewise dramatically dropped, leaving the door wide-open for China’s BYD to strengthen its pole position in the global EV market.
