By Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy
Tesla investors are bracing for a drop in first-quarter vehicle deliveries as a backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s politics exacerbates weakening demand for the electric vehicle maker’s aging lineup.
Musk promised Tesla would return to growth this year after its annual deliveries fell for the first time in 2024, and Wall Street will be watching to see how a refreshed Model Y SUV and incentives made a difference.
Tesla has been grappling with rising competition, especially in China and Europe, and protests against Musk’s role overseeing cuts to federal spending as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. This has angered a largely liberal base of Tesla buyers, and data has shown Tesla owners trading in their vehicles at record levels.
“We have seen major brand deterioration of Tesla across the entire world essentially,” said Ken Mahoney, CEO at Mahoney Asset Management, which owns Tesla stock. “The brand has become
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