

Lifestyle
How Tesla’s new age marketing builds overall consumer EV awareness
2016 was a year in which the Tesla Model X was cited as the ‘most significant’ vehicle, by growth contribution to total electric and plug-in hybrid sales in the U.S. It was also a year in which a survey of 2500 consumers illuminated how many Americans still feel uniformed about electric vehicles (EV).
However, Tesla’s innovative marketing strategy has just the right elements to enhance consumer background knowledge about what electric EVs are and how they work. In doing so, Tesla marketing will work reciprocally to place the Tesla brand at the forefront of the electric car industry. And it has the capacity to do so very quickly, if 2016 Tesla production numbers are any indicator.
How do Tesla sales differ from traditional car sales?
For most shoppers, the process of buying a car is essentially the same as it was a generation ago. Since long-established state franchise laws largely prohibit direct sales by auto manufacturers, an intermediary called a franchised dealer works as liaison between the manufacturer and the consumer. “The internet has dramatically changed the car-buying experience, but not the role of the dealer,” Maryann Keller & Associates wrote in a 2014 study for the National Automobile Dealers Association.
The Tesla buying experience is quite different. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, “Existing franchise dealers have a fundamental conflict of interest between selling gasoline cars, which constitute the vast majority of their business, and selling the new technology of electric cars.” There are no Tesla dealers, commissioned sales people, or aggressive sales pitches. The price is non-negotiable, as the Tesla is built according to a series of customer self-select options. Tesla transactions are conducted online.
How do consumers learn about the Tesla brand if there is no traditional advertising?
Tesla offers a completely different marketing experience than does a traditional car dealership advertising campaign. With an emphasis on marketing over advertising, the Tesla brand is slowly becoming a household word. How does it do that?
It’s a movement, not just another car: Tesla Motors created a movement around its innovative products and its mission, and the brand is equally as inspiring with its marketing. With a disdain for paid advertising, Tesla Motors is leading the trend of reaching new customers through existing ones.
Media matters: Want to know the most recent Tesla profitability updates? Tune into a streamed invitation-only press conference. Care to learn about the newest features of Tesla engineering? Watch on YouTube as Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s vision for the future comes to life. Want to find reviews, and awards for Tesla cars? They’re all online, of course with corresponding Tesla media analysis and positioning. And throughout every single media event, regardless of its topic or source, the company’s primary message resonates: The folks at Tesla are trying to build the best car ever made, not just the best electric car, and revolutionize the energy industry. That message, in turn, is reproduced by the media and becomes part of a common public discourse.

(Source: Tesla)
Online information portal: Since people begin their journeys with Tesla on their website, Tesla has designed their online presence to be a balance of information, commerce, community, press releases, consumer updates, and connections to other business within the Tesla network.
Forums and user community: Central to the Tesla online experience is something as old as language itself: the story. Tesla brings to light the joy of belonging to the Tesla buying and ownership experience through giving its current clientele the tools to share their experiences. As it’s a public community, forums provide a lot of content and context about what it’s like to own and experience a Tesla, and prospective buyers can live vicariously through these storied Tesla experiences. These forums demonstrate how Tesla encourages owners to interact with the company, and such transparency is confidence-inspiring for the originally EV wary consumer.
Referral program: Tesla has one of the world’s most acclaimed refer-a-friend programs, which reflects the view that customers acquired through advocate referral programs spend more, are more loyal, and are more likely to refer their friends to the brand.
Distribution strategy: The Tesla retail outlet is distinct from any other car sales showroom. This is because, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Our technology is different, our car is different, and, as a result, our stores are intentionally different.” The physical stores serve only as displays and sometimes only galleries, due in part because in several states Tesla is not allowed to sell vehicles through its stores. These stores are carefully curated and visually appealing channels to promote the Tesla EV vehicles and help to solidify the Tesla brand in the consumer mind.
Destination charging: Tesla partners with frequently visited places such as restaurants, resorts, and shopping malls so Tesla owners can recharge their vehicle while engaging in retail activities. These charging sites are centrally located, well-lit and signed, and placed strategically for high visibility. Individuals with no prior knowledge of the Tesla brand get to see one up close and personal while they grab their groceries, offering a personal glimpse into a once-rare EV charging session.
Supercharger network: Indeed, the Supercharger network is an ecosystem unto itself and of a proprietary nature that ensures its customers will always have a safe haven to alleviate range anxiety.
Conclusion
With so many constituents worldwide pursuing advanced vehicle technologies that aim to reduce the consumption of petroleum in the forms of gasoline and diesel, consumer awareness and comfort with EVs is essential. Tesla’s marketing approaches, which are so dissimilar from the distasteful traditional car dealership model, appeals to today’s 21st century IT populace and can assist to reduce barriers to and enhance opportunities for a broader acceptance of new technologies, such as EVs in general.
Elon Musk
X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.
A Near Fall
During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.
Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.
X User to the Rescue
It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.
Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.
Not Planned, But Welcomed
The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump.
“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail.
A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.
Charging Charger Fails
As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.
Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.
Alleged Aftermath
As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.
The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.
Lifestyle
Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results
Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.
Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.
Tank vs. Tesla
In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.”
He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.”
The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.
Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?
As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.
Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.
This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.
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