EV brands Rivian, BYD, and Lucid take the wheel to satisfy drivers who are sick of Musk’s conduct. “It’s time for me to divest from all things Elon,” one marketing exec, now an ex-Tesla owner, tells VF.

Tesla trade-ins have reportedly hit a record high amid a brand crisis linked in part to CEO Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump administration. According to the Washington Post, Teslas made up 0.4% of all vehicles traded at traditional dealerships a year ago.

Still, that relief in the United States, where Musk has become one of President Trump's primary advisers, tasked with swiftly cutting federal spending, may not improve the brand's reputation worldwide.