Elon Musk‘s Twitter Acquisition Linked to $1 Million in Lost Tesla U.S. Sales, Study Finds
October 28, 2025, 21:06:54 PST – Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, now known as X, may have cost Tesla approximately one million vehicle sales in the United States, according to a new study released today by Strategic Vision. The research firm’s analysis indicates a significant decline in consumer consideration of Tesla vehicles following Musk’s acquisition of the social media platform in October 2022.
The study reveals a direct correlation between Musk’s increasingly controversial activity on X and a drop in Tesla’s brand perception among prospective buyers. Strategic Vision found that approximately 1.5 million potential U.S. buyers indicated they were less likely to purchase a Tesla due to concerns about Musk’s leadership and the direction of X.Of those, roughly two-thirds – equating to around one million lost sales - had previously been seriously considering a Tesla purchase. This represents a significant impact on tesla’s sales volume in a critical market.
Strategic Vision’s data,collected through ongoing surveys of car shoppers,demonstrates a clear shift in sentiment. Prior to Musk’s takeover, Tesla enjoyed a strong positive brand image, particularly among tech-savvy and environmentally conscious consumers. However, the study shows that Musk’s frequent posts and policy changes on X, often perceived as divisive or erratic, alienated a significant portion of this customer base.
“The data is pretty clear,” saeid Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision. “Elon Musk’s personal brand has become a liability for Tesla. Potential buyers are factoring his behavior on X into their purchasing decisions.”
The findings come as Tesla faces increasing competition from other electric vehicle manufacturers and navigates a challenging economic climate. The loss of one million potential sales underscores the risks associated wiht linking a brand so closely to the public persona of it’s leader. Strategic vision anticipates that Tesla will need to actively address these concerns and distance itself from the controversies surrounding X to regain lost ground with consumers.
