EV Daily | Tesla Faces Brand Crisis Amid Owner Protests and Arson Attacks; Cybertruck Outsells Ford Lightning

【Tesla】

Tesla owners are creatively distancing themselves from Elon Musk by removing Tesla logos and adding other automaker badges. This trend underscores dissatisfaction with Musk, leading to protests and fears of vehicle vandalism. Tesla's brand has suffered a rapid decline recently. Additionally, the sale of Tesla stickers mocking Musk has surged.

A dozen Tesla vehicles were burned in Toulouse, France, suspected as arson amid global protests against Musk. Anti-fascist groups worldwide are targeting Tesla, and extremist groups in France have called for arson against Tesla stores.

Tesla Cybertruck sold nearly 39,000 units last year, surpassing Ford Lightning sales. Tesla chairwoman Robyn Denholm sold $33 million in Tesla stocks amid brand turmoil. Model Y sales dropped significantly in Europe, attributed to political interference and increased competition.



【Others】

Ford's F-150 Lightning sales dropped by 15% despite promotions to attract buyers. The Mustang Mach-E, however, saw an increase in sales. Ford plans to introduce a smaller electric pickup in a few years.

Honda's 2025 Prologue SUV boasts improvements, such as increased range and power, without a price hike. It offers trims with varied driving ranges and power configurations, maintaining affordability with tax credits.

Hyundai achieved record sales in the US in February, driven by the IONIQ 5. The IONIQ 5 features upgraded interiors and offers attractive leasing rates. Hyundai plans to continue its growth with new models and increased production in the US.

Costco offers incentives on the 2025 Volvo EX90 BEV, with significant discounts available for members. The EX90 features impressive specs, including a range of up to 310 miles and a powerful engine.

Aptera shared a milestone by testing its first production-intent solar EV in real-world conditions, achieving groundbreaking results in efficiency testing. The vehicle demonstrates remarkable coastdown distances and aligns with simulated predictions for energy consumption, marking a step forward in solar mobility.