Tesla sales dropped by nearly 13 percent in the first three months of the year amid a broader backlash against CEO Elon Musk and his leadership of President Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Tesla reported 336,000 vehicle deliveries in the January to March quarter, a notable drop from sales of 387,000 vehicles in the same quarterly period a year ago.
The number marks its worst showing since 2022 and is far lower than analysts’ predictions of about 408,000 deliveries.
Tesla’s stock has plummeted nearly 50 percent since late December and the company has become a political lightning rod for those upset with Musk’s alliance with Trump and leadership of DOGE.
Company showrooms across the country have faced both peaceful and violent demonstrations, including vandalism, shootings and arson attacks.
Wedbush Securities analysts called the quarterly report a “disaster on every metric” and called it a “fork in the road moment” for Musk.