- Musk damages Tesla’s European image twice as much as BYD’s Chinese government ties hurt its brand.
- Tesla’s biggest reputational hit comes from Musk’s political activity and his association with Donald Trump.
- BYD now rivals Tesla among European EV shoppers, despite ongoing concerns about ties to the Chinese state.
European car buyers remain wary of Chinese cars, although that sentiment appears to be shifting as several Chinese brands post strong, sustained sales growth across the continent. However, a new survey suggests Europeans are more bothered by Elon Musk’s ties to Tesla than Chinese carmakers’ government ties.
