How Musk's Trump support might shake up Tesla's future in unexpected ways
Political shifts in EV world after **Elon Musk** backed Trump changed usual party lines. New trade rules and policy changes could affect Teslaʼs position in global markets more than expected
Elon Muskʼs support for Trump changed everything in EV-world: while Democrats used to be main EV-buyers (about 83% would consider buying one last year) Trump now says “Im for electric cars“ - quite different from his old anti-EV position
The government-support landscape is complex: since 08ʼ theres been a $7‚500 tax-credit for new EVs‚ and Muskʼs Tesla got about $2‚8B in various government help (even though he says hes anti-subsidies). The company also made $9B from selling carbon-credits to other car-makers
Recent data shows how important these supports are: when Germany cut EV-help in dec-23‚ sales dropped big-time (more than half); Tesla has 48% of US market now but removing help could hurt sales. Other makers like Ford and GM would have it even harder
Iʼm for electric cars. I have to be‚ because Elon endorsed me very strongly
The small-parts makers situation is tricky: theres a new $100M fund to help them switch to EV production (most only make gas-car parts now). A bigger $2B program runs till 31ʼ to help car factories in swing-states change to EV-making
International trade is getting messy: Chinese company BYD beat Tesla in sales last quarter‚ theres 100% tax on Chinese EVs coming to US; and EU-US trade could get rough if Trump wins (he wants 20% tax on everything). Tesla might get hit from both sides - it needs Chinese parts and sells lots of cars in Europe
