Sales of Teslo have collapsed in Finland, according to the researcher, Elon Musk’s political activity

World richest man Elon Musk on thrown According to US policy president Donald Trump in the immediate circle. Could this have a connection to the fact that the sale of Tesla’s electric cars led by Musk has clearly declined both in Finland, in other Nordic countries and elsewhere in Europe?

Only 58 Teslas were first registered in Finland in January this year. In January last year, the number was 169, so sales decreased by 66 percent from the year.

Throughout last year, more than 3,700 tesla were first registered in Finland, compared with more than 6,100 the following year.

“A pretty strong hypothesis [olettamus] It is that Musk’s political activity and dwelling in Tesla’s sales have a mutual connection. Musk has received so much attention and his profile has changed so dramatically that a reputation can affect car sales, ”says a university researcher who is familiar with the boycott Essi Pöyry From the Consumer Research Center of the University of Helsinki.

Pöyry recalls that Musk was previously seen as an innovator, an open -minded inventor and a car reformer.

“It was also thought that he was environmentally friendly as an electric cars. Musk’s entry into a political player who affects the conservative field is quite a big change. This contradiction will certainly affect many consumers, ”Pöyry tells STT.

In the United States, a new buffer sticker has emerged among the owners of Tesla, says The world of technology. The sticker says “I bought this before Elon became Kahjo” (I Bought This Before Elon Went Crazy). The text label has been seen in Teslo even in Finland.

To traffic sociology specialist Kalle Toivokallio The company of traffic planning admits that Musk’s new political role can be a factor that affects the Teslo trade. However, its effect is not necessarily decisive.

“Another factor is that electric cars are starting to offer. In addition to Chinese electric car production, European electric cars begin to be in the price ranges that start at third or Nelonen. The role of Tesla’s Pioneer and the lead it brings are starting to be over, ”To Matkallio tells STT.

It is also a change that electric cars are now also available for sale.

“Approximately 400,000 used cars in Finland are sold every year, while only over 100,000 new ones are bought at best.”

Specialist in the field of transport Raimo Tengvall Auto -Nin Oy complements that the sale of new Tesla’s new cars may be protected by a trait: Tesla Model Y, which has just been sold, has little competitors in other manufacturers’ electric car models, according to Tengvall.

If Elon Musk’s pursuit of politics has aroused a boycott spirit among car buyers, is it reason to worry about it in the longer term?

“Studies have shown that it is really difficult for consumers to organize consumers. But in the case of Tesla, consumers do not even have to discuss each other to start a boycott. It is like a clear choice not to buy Tesla in this situation where Musk even appears to be a threatening character in world order, ”says Pöyry.

According to him, in some cases, the boycotts may be persistent, but more often consumers are short memory.

“Some of the boycotts are very short and as if volatile. Their impact on the company’s profit or success remains very small, ”says Pöyry.

Instead, a long -lasting boycott can be difficult for the target company.

“A good example in Finland is the Teboil situation in recently. The company is Russian -owned. I wouldn’t call a non -verbal agreement, but for so many Finns, the current policy of Russia is in a very essential way that is not wanted to support. In such a case, the effect of the boycott is great, ”and there is no need for any organizer behind the protest.