Tesla Faces Declining Sales, Political Backlash, and Targeted Vandalism

Elon Musk's political affiliations and controversial statements coincide with a sharp drop in Tesla's European sales and a wave of vandalism against its properties.

Tesla's European sales have plummeted, with a 45% decline in January and a 76% drop in Germany in February, contrasting with overall growth in the electric vehicle market.
Incidents of vandalism and arson targeting Tesla properties have been reported in the U.S. and Europe, including the torching of seven charging stations in Massachusetts and a dozen vehicles in France.
Elon Musk's political endorsements, including support for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany Party, have drawn criticism and are believed to be impacting Tesla's brand perception and sales.
Tesla's stock has dropped 33% year-to-date, with analysts citing falling sales, brand sentiment concerns, and uncertainty over new product launches as contributing factors.
Production at Tesla's Grünheide factory in Germany has been disrupted due to both activist attacks and planned assembly line reconfigurations for the Model Y.