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Tesla’s marketing strategies in China could address the negative narrative in the US
Over the course of the massive roller coaster ride that was Tesla’s first and second quarters this year, it has become particularly evident that the electric car maker is dealing with a lot of misinformation. After the first quarter’s lower-than-expected results, for example, Tesla faced multiple narratives suggesting that the demand for the company’s vehicles was fast declining, and that its growth story was dead. It was not until Tesla revealed its higher-than-expected delivery and production numbers in the second quarter that the narrative surrounding the company shifted a little bit for the better.
Being one of the most shorted companies in the market, Tesla is no stranger to misinformation campaigns. The company’s vehicles consistently rank high with safety agencies, yet the idea that the Model 3, S, and X are dangerous and catch fire all the time continues to persist. Tesla’s quarterly safety reports have consistently shown that fewer accidents happen when Autopilot is activated, but the driver-assist system is perceived as dangerous by a notable demographic of would-be car buyers nonetheless — and these are but the tip of the iceberg.
One of the most striking portions of Tesla’s 2019 Annual Shareholder Meeting last month involved a number of retail investors brainstorming solutions to address the alarming amount of misinformation surrounding the company. Responding to the concerned shareholders, Elon Musk admitted that he is at a little bit of a loss when it comes to battling the negativity surrounding Tesla, though he expressed his dislike for advertising campaigns that are deceptive to consumers. Nevertheless, considering that the Tesla Model 3 is now breaking into a market that is larger than it has ever dealt with before, it would be wise for the electric car maker to find a solid, subtle strategy that allows it to reach a wider audience, while shifting the narrative to a more positive direction in the process.
What is pretty remarkable is that Tesla does not need to look far to find a marketing strategy that works without being deceptive. Over in China, there is a company that has shown a notable degree of cleverness with its marketing efforts, utilizing creative campaigns that help improve the perception of the public to its brand. That company is Tesla.
Tesla has been around in China since 2014, when it started delivering the Model S to the region. For the most part, Tesla has competed much like a niche carmaker in the country, with the Model S and Model X being high-priced premium vehicles that are, in some way, considered as status symbols for the wealthy. This is changing with the arrival of the Model 3, as the electric sedan’s lower price opens up the Tesla ecosystem to a far broader demographic. The buildout of Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, which will be producing locally-made Model 3 and Model Y, will make Tesla’s vehicles even more accessible to the mainstream market in the near future.
With Model 3 deliveries already underway and with Gigafactory 3’s buildout progressing faster than expected, it is pertinent for Tesla to ensure that the company is well marketed for Chinese consumers. This is where things get particularly interesting, since Tesla has been conducting a subtle, clever, and likely effective marketing campaign for the Chinese market as of late. Immediately noticeable is the care that the company has taken to respect the country’s culture and traditions, as shown in the tastefully-designed cards Tesla sent out during last month’s Dragon Boat Festival, and the reviewers that the electric car maker released for high school students in the days leading up to the national college examination. These were simple gestures, but they showed that Tesla is a company that is respectful and grounded.
Other marketing campaigns that have raised Tesla’s visibility in the Chinese market have been equally tasteful. Just recently, Tesla and QQ Music, a popular music streaming service in the country, held a series of “Music Parties” in key cities. These were hip events that were aimed at the younger demographic, many of whom are or will be looking to buy their first vehicle in the near future. The company has also launched a Tesla Performance Driving School, which involves the company hiring professional drivers to teach Model 3 owners how to get the most fun out of their vehicles. This program promotes the capabilities of the Model 3 Performance, while giving the impression that Tesla is a responsible company that encourages high-speed driving in safe, regulated environments.
Also notable were Tesla-organized road trips, which are extended journeys over scenic routes that are aimed at promoting the company’s vehicles and the convenience of the Supercharger Network. Online, Tesla’s active marketing strategies in China are quite impressive as well, as evidenced by the spread of tutorials featuring its vehicles and their features. These pages, one which could be accessed here, feature clear guidelines about Autopilot’s proper utilization, its features, its limitations, and the responsibilities of the driver while the system is in use.
When it comes to battling misinformation, the best strategy is always to provide the right information. To shift a subjectively negative narrative, it is best to foster an objectively positive narrative. Contrary to Elon Musk’s statements during the Annual Shareholder Meeting, it appears that Tesla already has a pretty good strategy that has the potential to address, at least to some degree, the misconceptions and misinformation surrounding the company in the United States. Granted, Tesla currently enjoys widespread support from the Chinese government, and the United States is a far more challenging market than China, but considering what’s at stake, these marketing efforts might very well be worth a try.

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Nikola Motor founder Trevor Milton given full pardon by President Trump

Nikola Motor founder Trevor Milton has been given a full pardon by U.S. President Donald Trump in an unprecedented turn of events.
Trevor Milton Media announced late Thursday that the formerly jailed founder of the all-electric automaker that President Trump had “pledged to end the political weaponization of the Justice Department. This pardon marks a step toward fulfilling that commitment.”
Milton was sentenced to four years in prison in December 2023 after being found guilty of multiple counts of fraud.
Nikola founder Trevor Milton sentenced to four years in prison
“I was not a very seasoned CEO,” Milton said after his sentencing. Questions about the legitimacy of some Nikola product demonstrations and several statements that were found to be misleading regarding the company’s progress on its vehicles brought Milton to U.S. Federal Court to face two counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.
Now, he is free.
Milton said in a statement:
“This pardon is not just about me—it’s about every American who has been railroaded by the government, and unfortunately, that’s a lot of people. It is no wonder why trust and confidence in the Justice Department has eroded to nothing. I wish judges would stop believing whatever the prosecutors feed them so Americans could trust the justice system again. Until that happens, our justice system will continue to erode until there is nothing left. The 90+% conviction rate in New York is appalling and is a result of prosecutors getting whatever they want and putting innocent people in prison. I saw firsthand the tactics they use to achieve those guaranteed convictions. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for his courage in standing up for what is right and for granting me this sacred pardon of innocence.”
Milton will now launch a documentary that is available for preview here.
Elon Musk
Tesla vandal who lit Las Vegas repair center on fire arrested

A vandal in Las Vegas who lit a Tesla repair center on fire has been arrested, bringing a name and face to the crime that engulfed vehicles and a structure in flames.
Officers in Las Vegas arrested Paul Kim, a 36-year-old, on Wednesday. He faces charges of arson and possessing an explosive device.
The Tesla repair center at 6260 West Badura Avenue was set aflame on March 18 at around 2:45 a.m. In total, five vehicles were set on fire, as well as the building itself. It was one of the more notable instances of vandalism against Tesla in recent months, but police now have their culprit.
Las Vegas Metro Police Department Sheriff Dori Koren described the weapons Kim used to execute the attack:
“He used what appeared to be multiple Molotov cocktails and firearms to conduct his attack.”
As the instances of attacks on Tesla continue to be publicized, we are now seeing considerable pushback from owners, the company, and even the United States government regarding what it calls “domestic terrorism.”
Owners are now filing lawsuits against those who vandalize their vehicles, as the first civil suit against a vandal was filed in Texas yesterday.
Great
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 27, 2025
Tesla has not made any moves itself against the vandals, but we expect the company to potentially enter some litigation against groups or politicians that incite violence against its property and the owners of its vehicles.
Additionally, the U.S. government has utilized the FBI to probe incidents against Tesla as a part of them being constituted as instances of domestic terrorism. Earlier this month, the Bureau established a specific task force to handle Tesla-related attacks.
“The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity toward Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response,” FBI head Kash Patel said on X. “This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.”
Elon Musk
Elon Musk clarifies Trump tariff effect on Tesla: “The cost impact is not trivial”
The U.S. President has stated that Elon Musk stayed silent and provided no input in the administration’s tariffs.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to implement a 25% tariff on non-U.S.-made vehicles starting next week would affect American electric car maker Tesla.
This was confirmed by CEO Elon Musk in a recent post on social media platform X.
Musk and Trump
While Elon Musk works closely with the Trump administration due to his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the U.S. president has emphasized that the Tesla CEO never asks for favors. This was highlighted in his recent comments, when he stated that Elon Musk stayed silent and provided no input in the administration’s 25% auto tariffs.
When asked by reporters if the new tariffs would be good for Tesla, Trump noted that they may be “net neutral or they may be good.” The U.S. president also pointed to Tesla’s automotive plants in Fremont, California and Austin, Texas, which produce vehicles that are sold in the country. “Anybody that has plants in the United States — it’s going to be good for them,” Trump noted.
Tesla Affected
In a post on X, Elon Musk clarified that the Trump administration’s tariffs would affect the prices of vehicle parts that are sourced from other countries. This was a concern that Tesla previously outlined in a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, which noted that even with “aggressive localization” of its supply chain, “certain parts and components are difficult or impossible to source within the United States.”
As per Musk in his recent post on X, the cost impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs is no joke. “To be clear, this will affect the price of parts in Tesla cars that come from other countries. The cost impact is not trivial,” Musk wrote in his post.
Potential Effects
Reactions to Musk’s comments from users of the social media platform were varied, with some speculating that the Trump auto tariffs could result in Teslas becoming more expensive in the United States. Despite this, the potential increases in Tesla’s vehicle prices might not be as notable as other cars, particularly those that are produced outside the country.
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