Can’t do much harm? Chemical companies are still dumping forever chemicals (PFAS) in our rivers. With or without a permit to do so. Yes, governments give companies permits to pollute our rivers. Just look at recent examples like 3M polluting the Scheldt:

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/dutch-government-hold-3m-liable-forever-chemicals-damage-2023-05-23/

That’s simply not true, the last couple of years quality is up massively. The highland Model 3 is fine really, sure there are some things Tesla could’ve done better, but that goes for most manufacturers. I drive one and I haven’t had any big issues, I do have some annoyances though, but there are also things the car does way better than its competition. People also seem to forget that Tesla was pushing out over the air feature updates while VW was manually updating their ID3 range on the parking lot in the docks.

The Model 3 and Y in its current state, at its prices before these wild discounts and 0% financing, is objectively a very competitive car and would probably made the top 3 list in every country in 2025 and possibly 2026. Let me put it differently, if Ford sold the Model 3 and Y, it would outsell any other vehicle on the planet. The only reason the Model Y will not be the best selling car this year is Musk and by extension the direction the US took with the elections. At least here in Europe, people don’t really want to buy a Nazi symbol of a car. And frankly, if I could get rid of mine today, I would, not because the car is bad, but because of the Nazi in charge.

“But the low sales numbers were just potential buyers delaying their purchase, because the new Model Y will release soon.”

Safe to say that we finally have evidence that people weren’t delaying. It’s also not the car either, the car is fine and very competitive. I drive a Model 3 and I drove a couple competitor cars, therefore I know Tesla is up there with the competition. That is Volkswagen, Toyota and the large volume brands, I don’t view Tesla as a luxury brand like BMW and Mercedes though.

So what else is there? I’d wager having a Nazi as CEO doesn’t help sales at all. I’m in a mid class bubble in The Netherlands where many in my bubble can afford or even actively looked at purchasing a Tesla, all of them say the same thing: I do not support Nazi’s and by extension try to buy as little US made products as I can. This is the same customer base that 5 years ago would definitely have bought a Tesla in a heartbeat. Tesla will continue to lose with Musk at the helm.

I guess Trump doesn’t help, but it’s also easy to point the finger. If eating at a fast food chain is no longer fast, cheap nor food (let’s be honest). Is it then strange that sales are declining?

As a Dutchman, I agree we have great infrastructure and “walking” cities. But you’ve only seen Amsterdam. Outside of the cities, The Netherlands is more dependent on cars than you might think. I live on the border of the country and public transport is basically non existent and cycling is not viable due to travel distances, every adult has a car in my area. A family of 4 adults (children over 18 living at home) have 4 cars parked in front of their house here. We’re not as car dependent as the US, but we don’t live in a fairytale either.

Curious if this argument also works for other situations? “I didn’t file my taxes, because it would take too long”.

How will you build wealth without mortgages and just paying cash? Then most people wouldn’t be able to afford to buy a home, they would always be slaves to rent. No mortgages plays right into the hand of the wealthy few that can exploit the renters.

until Trump determines that Ukrainian leaders are making a genuine effort toward peace.

They are literally shooting every Russian they spot on their soil, how is that not making a genuine effort toward peace?