Tesla board opened search for a CEO to succeed Elon Musk, WSJ reports

[André]

Don't know the source and who was asked to participate in the survey but if you replace the word Tesla with EV, the percentage would not change very much for the general public.

« The Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR) surveyed 8,000 US consumers to ask them questions about electric vehicle purchasing decisions, both asking about brands and finding out what they value in an EV purchase.

The most notable result of the survey is that consumers had the most negative view of Tesla – and in fact, Tesla is the only brand in the survey which received a net negative brand image. »

https://electrek.co/2025/05/01/tesl...th-negative-perception-and-its-getting-worse/

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[Donald Stanfield]

Don't know the source and who was asked to participate in the survey but if you replace the word Tesla with EV, the percentage would not change very much for the general public.

Not true. Tesla sales went down 70% and many other EV manufacturers went UP last year.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Using your own logic we shouldn't believe anything you say either, because "anyone can say anything"

 

[mkg3]

Not true. Tesla sales went down 70% and many other EV manufacturers went UP last year.

Tesla sales are not down 70% across the board. It is down. No argument. Also its easy to increase sales when others are introducing new models and the comparison is so much lower for most auto companies (yes, don't bother bringing up BYD - an exception)

Since Tesla has the most to lose from a relatively fixed market size, as more models becomes available, clearly people will look elsewhere and many end up buying non-Tesla.

Speaking for myself, we own a Tesla and Rivian. As more models come, and our use case change, we will not buy another Rivian (R1/R2/R3). We "might" buy the mythical $25k Tesla if it has a steering wheel for errand and in town vehicle (fast golf cart)

When we're ready to replace our gen 1 quad R1S, we'll look at BEV, PHEV and ICE SUV and chose the best option for our use case. If SSB-based BEV SUV is available with the right specs (range, agility, ride), probably that.

It's not surprising that Tesla auto sales are down given that their lineup is stale and nothing really new (highland and juniper updates included). It's hard to separate the Elon factor vs line up and alternative options variables. It's easy to simply say it's Elon, but it is not. Definitely a component but not all.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Tesla sales are not down 70% across the board. It is down. No argument. Also its easy to increase sales when others are introducing new models and the comparison is so much lower for most auto companies (yes, don't bother bringing up BYD - an exception)

Since Tesla has the most to lose from a relatively fixed market size, as more models becomes available, clearly people will look elsewhere and many end up buying non-Tesla.

Speaking for myself, we own a Tesla and Rivian. As more models come, and our use case change, we will not buy another Rivian (R1/R2/R3). We "might" buy the mythical $25k Tesla if it has a steering wheel for errand and in town vehicle (fast golf cart)

When we're ready to replace our gen 1 quad R1S, we'll look at BEV, PHEV and ICE SUV and chose the best option for our use case. If SSB-based BEV SUV is available with the right specs (range, agility, ride), probably that.

It's not surprising that Tesla auto sales are down given that their lineup is stale and nothing really new (highland and juniper updates included). It's hard to separate the Elon factor vs line up and alternative options variables. It's easy to simply say it's Elon, but it is not. Definitely a component but not all.

Your last paragraph sums up my feelings on Tesla. They were great when they were the only electric car that was actually usable, but now tons of cars have the same or better range and capabilities. Their design and interiors were always below average and now that shows.

 

[lefkonj]

The board, Elon anyone involved should have at least a thought on replacing Elon. He isn't 22 and something could happen. Forget he is one of the worst humans on the planet and is hurting the brand everyday he is attached to it.

Tesla should have removed him a year ago but they didn't they are afraid of him.

 

[Count Orlok]

Be careful what you wish for. What’s apple done since Jobs passed?

As most people are aware, The Count got in Apple at $67 back when everyone else was exposed when the tide went out.

 

[Count Orlok]

All Ford needs to do is reappoint Henry Ford as CEO.

 

[PaythePiper]

As most people are aware, The Count got in Apple at $67 back when everyone else was exposed when the tide went out.

Excellent

 

[tobacco]

Their stock sure seems to be doing fine.

First company to $1T valuation, then first to $2T, then first to $3T.

Created the fastest phone, tablet, and laptop CPUs from scratch.

I hate to bite, but was part of a company that rode the wave of PC innovation 10+years after the wave piddled out. During that time the stock flourished, CEO got countless accolades, etc. It was during that period that the company all but died. Stock went from almost 200 to ~3.

AAPL is attempting to avoid a similar fate; TBD if the products post-iPod, IPad, MacBook can sustain the innovation-driven valuations the market reflects. Not a slam dunk, for sure.

 

[tobacco]

Tesla sales are not down 70% across the board. It is down. No argument. Also its easy to increase sales when others are introducing new models and the comparison is so much lower for most auto companies (yes, don't bother bringing up BYD - an exception)

Since Tesla has the most to lose from a relatively fixed market size, as more models becomes available, clearly people will look elsewhere and many end up buying non-Tesla.

Speaking for myself, we own a Tesla and Rivian. As more models come, and our use case change, we will not buy another Rivian (R1/R2/R3). We "might" buy the mythical $25k Tesla if it has a steering wheel for errand and in town vehicle (fast golf cart)

When we're ready to replace our gen 1 quad R1S, we'll look at BEV, PHEV and ICE SUV and chose the best option for our use case. If SSB-based BEV SUV is available with the right specs (range, agility, ride), probably that.

It's not surprising that Tesla auto sales are down given that their lineup is stale and nothing really new (highland and juniper updates included). It's hard to separate the Elon factor vs line up and alternative options variables. It's easy to simply say it's Elon, but it is not. Definitely a component but not all.

Good points. Only response is that it might be necessary to separate the Elon personality/value factor from Elon leadership factor, since as CEO he bears ultimate responsibility for design and competitiveness

 

[akc5247]

As long as Elon still owns a bunch of Tesla stock, buyers won’t be owning Teslas, no matter who is CEO.

Or so i thought.

People speak with their wallets and as long as it is convenient and the bills are paid, this would pass after a few months.

I found that at least three of my friends,, hate Elon and his policies, but all of them bought a Tesla (Model 3/Y) due to the amazing financial incentives/deals offered in the past few weeks. I jokingly asked if they moved to the other side of the aisle, and they said 'yes, because it was 0% apr'.

Also, it doesn't matter if Tesla is burning as it has bandwidth and money to survive for more years. Rivian needs to do well, fingers crossed for that.

 

[SANZC02]

Or so i thought.

People speak with their wallets and as long as it is convenient and the bills are paid, this would pass after a few months.

I found that at least three of my friends,, hate Elon and his policies, but all of them bought a Tesla (Model 3/Y) due to the amazing financial incentives/deals offered in the past few weeks. I jokingly asked if they moved to the other side of the aisle, and they said 'yes, because it was 0% apr'.

Also, it doesn't matter if Tesla is burning as it has bandwidth and money to survive for more years. Rivian needs to do well, fingers crossed for that.

Tesla still needs to turn it around. The only reason they were not in the red for Q1 2025 are the Climate credits they sold. The current administration is trying to kill those credits.

 

[akc5247]

Tesla still needs to turn it around. The only reason they were not in the red for Q1 2025 are the Climate credits they sold. The current administration is trying to kill those credits.

Yes, and they most likely will because they have vehicles that are in the affordable price bracket.

Personally I am just focusing and rooting for Rivian to do well. They need to do well with the R2 in much less time compared to what Tesla did.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Yes, and they most likely will because they have vehicles that are in the affordable price bracket.

Personally I am just focusing and rooting for Rivian to do well. They need to do well with the R2 in much less time compared to what Tesla did.

People have no memory (look at who's in the oval office). If Elon would just lay low from now on... Too much to ask of him, I know.

If trade war doesn't torpedo Rivian's efforts, Rivian has a shot with R2. And they got to net positive [after IPO] sooner than Tesla didn't they?

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