When Seattle-based software engineer William Shimizu bought his white Model Y Tesla last yr, the 34-year-old was over the moon.
“You sit in it and it looks like you’re within the cockpit of a rocket ship,” Shimizu told The Post of the $55,000 automobile. He considered the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E, however the Model Y won out.
“The Tesla looked higher. It had higher range, it was a more established player in the sport. The white on white just looks so good,” Shimizu said enthusiastically of his initial rationale for the acquisition.
But he’s not feeling quite so cool within the compact sports utility vehicle. Ever since Elon Musk took over Twitter and began spewing conservative viewpoints on the platform, Shimizu loathes being in the driving force’s seat of his once-beloved automobile.
With Tesla, Musk revolutionized the electrical automobile, selling 343,830 no-emission vehicles globally through the third quarter of 2022. Now, nevertheless, Musk has sparked outrage amongst the exact same demographic that made the billionaire the world’s richest man. AFP via Getty Images
“His behavior is absolutely confidence-shaking,” said Shimizu, who typically votes blue and is seriously considering selling his former pride and joy. “Over the past week or so, I’ve very much considered pulling the trigger.”
With Tesla, Musk revolutionized the electrical automobile. The corporate sold a record 343,830 no-emission vehicles globally through the third quarter of 2022. Now, nevertheless, Musk and his conservative viewpoints together with his Twitter takeover have sparked outrage amongst the exact same demographic that made the billionaire the world’s richest man. Liberal Tesla drivers are facing a quandary — do they ditch the pricey eco-conscious cars they once felt so proud to own? Or just ignore Musk’s actions and keep their eyes on the road?
In a chunk on the Wrap, entertainment journalist Benjamin Svetkey put it succinctly within the headline: “Hey, Hollywood! Elon Musk Is Turning Your Tesla Right into a MAGA Hat on Wheels!”
William Shimizu, a software engineer from Seattle, posing along with his white Model Y Tesla. Owning one, he said, now has a stigma attached to it ever since Musk took over Twitter. Now, he’s tempted to sell his EV wheels for a Ford Mustang Mach-E.Courtesy of William Shimizu
Twitter fans and celebrities comparable to Shonda Rhimes, Mick Foley, Toni Braxton and Gigi Hadid have fled the social media site in the times since Musk took charge at the top of October, but those enflamed by the tech titan have been slower to part ways with their smug-mobiles.
Some are definitely considering it, though.
“I even have owned my last Tesla. My next electric vehicle shall be anything but,” Bill Weber, of La Cañada Flintridge, California, wrote in a letter to the Los Angeles Times.
“[Musk] uses his wealth to advertise hate, disparage folks who disagree along with his self-serving politics, and do great damage to moral society,” continued Weber, who once proudly owned 4 Teslas.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx, Queens), meanwhile, has been wanting to sell her Tesla for months. In May, said she desired to ditch her Model 3, which she purchased back in 2020 to zip between her NYC district and Capitol Hill.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-The Bronx/Queens), has been wanting to ditch her Tesla for months. In May said she desired to eliminate her Model 3, which she purchased back in 2020 to zip between her NYC district and Capitol Hill.AP
“On the time, it was the one EV that might get me from Latest York to Washington on like one, or one-and-a-half charges,” she told Bloomberg News following a spat with Musk on Twitter in April by which she apparently referred to him in a tweet as a “billionaire with an ego problem.” She noted that she desired to drive an EV made by a unionized company, saying, “I’d love to modify.”
Financial advisor and YouTube creator Kevin Paffrath believes Musk isn’t doing himself any favors by turning off a significant demographic of buyers.
“Once you lose that one Democrat, you’re not only losing them — you’re losing 10 more. For each certainly one of these individuals who dumps their Tesla, that’s probably killing 10 more additional sales,” said the cash man, who owns two Teslas — a 2017 Model X and the 2021 Model S Plaid.
As for Shimizu, he may soon be driving off into the sunset in a Ford Mach-E and selling his Model Y for $10k greater than its sticker price, thanks to provide issues.
“There’s definitely a stank attached to [the car],” said Shimizu, who used to geek out over his automobile with fellow Tesla lovers at every probability he could. “I don’t discuss [it] anymore.”
