A global Tesla boycott is sweeping the world, but China remains an oasis of calm.
In the United States, a ‘Tesla Takedown’ campaign is gaining momentum. It opposes the massive layoffs of federal employees led by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The boycott’s effects are being felt around the world. In Germany, Tesla’s February vehicle sales plummeted by 78%. Meanwhile, Canada has threatened to impose a retaliatory 100% tariff on Tesla if the U.S. moves forward with its own tariffs. This anti-Tesla sentiment is spreading across borders.
However, China is resisting the global trend. Elon Musk, who promotes pro-China rhetoric, enjoys widespread popularity in the country. His wealth and success have also endeared him to the Chinese, who admire the affluent.
Even more surprisingly, Donald Trump—often seen as a staunch opponent of China—still enjoys significant approval in the country.
Musk’s influence in China extends beyond his fame. His mother, May Musk, has also captured the public’s attention. At 76, the model and ambassador for Dell Technologies saw her autobiography fly off the shelves, and a viral photo of her in a traditional qipao dress took Chinese social media by storm.
May Musk has amassed an impressive following of 700,000 on Xiaohongshu, China’s popular short-video sharing platform.
Elon Musk has positioned himself as a prominent pro-China figure in the U.S., openly supporting Chinese leadership by asserting that Taiwan is part of China. His close ties with the Communist Party have paid off: Tesla became the first foreign company granted 100% ownership in Chinese history.
Despite this favorable treatment, Tesla faces a significant crisis in China, with sales declining for five consecutive months.
Interestingly, Tesla’s sales slump in China isn’t due to the boycott; its quality is falling short of that of its domestic competitor, BYD.
Tesla’s high prices add to its woes. Even after recent price cuts, the Shanghai-made Model Y and Model 3 still average $33,500. In contrast, BYD’s top-tier Song Plus model costs just $21,000.