• partial_accumen@lemmy.world
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    22 hours ago

    Remember 2015? A Tesla parked in your driveway told your neighbours that you valued innovation, that you possessed an environmental conscience, that you had a stake in the future of the planet. The cars weren’t perfect, but they meant something. They represented hope - for clean energy, EVs, and a world beyond fossil fuels.

    This was me years go. I knew climate change was real and an imminent threat. I wanted to vote with my wallet for a cleaner future. I also wanted to strike a blow against the National Automotive Dealers Association for their regressive practices that hurt consumers and drive prices for cars higher for everyone. Buying a Tesla did those things. I charge the car on sunlight from my house. I don’t have to support the petroleum industry’s damage to environment and people around the world. I was proud to be doing something rather than just talking about needs for changes against climate change.

    Musk doesn’t get any of my money from this car. I don’t pay for any of the Tesla monthly services. I’m don’t want to be seen driving with a Tesla logo on the car. I’m ashamed that my good intentions funded a fascist.

    • scarabic@lemmy.world
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      3 hours ago

      It’s crystal clear to me that Tesla played an important role at a key time, and pivoted the industry. The technology to do so had been there for a while but they lacked the will and they needed an innovator to scare them into action. Tesla did that. However, that role is now complete. I am flabbergasted that anyone still values this stock. Even setting aside this recent downturn in sales due to their brand going necrotic, they were already overmatched by the flood of competition coming their way. If major manufacturers don’t eat Tesla’s lunch, Chinese upstarts will. They can’t survive. They won’t survive. Even their supposed software advantage on self-driving has turned out to be a fraud, and the Simpertruck is a high profile failure. I’m glad that the stock hasn’t died yet though, because the rest of the world is still completing the transition to EVs, and the death of Tesla might put a chill on that. But in a few years, yeah, Tesla will blow away on the wind like so much dust.

    • bitchkat@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      Musk still gets some money if you ever need parts. I had to replace the heater and went to non tesla shop. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get a used heater so I had to buy a new part.

    • fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com
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      7 hours ago

      I came really close back then, had a deposit but canceled due to realizing I had a perfectly good old car and didn’t “need” one at the time. Hindsight says I lucked out.

      If I did get it, and still had it (I would, I keep cars for 10+ years), I would probably rebadge it as an indicator of my dislike for what the brand has become.

      I’d actually love to see a rebadging campaign by dissatisfied owners.

    • multiplewolves@lemmy.world
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      21 hours ago

      There is no shame in your ownership of the vehicle based on your intentions; I would humbly assert that anger is a more appropriate reaction to the current leadership of the company that made it. If strangers judge you, that’s on them.

      If I had had the means to purchase one 10+ years ago, I would have. Most people who claim they wouldn’t are not being honest with themselves or disapproved of the virtue signaling associated with them at the time.

      • margaritox@lemmy.world
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        14 hours ago

        Oh yea, when Teslas first started appearing, I loved their whole philosophy and really wanted one.

      • Grippler@feddit.dk
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        14 hours ago

        Many bought Tesla’s years before elon went full crazy-person, yet people are still vandalising their cars, calling them Nazi-slurs and saying they should be ashamed.

    • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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      14 hours ago

      Maybe it’s time to get better at researching companies before major decisions. Do you have a system in place for doing background research on future large purchases?

      That shame is no use unless it helps you update your behavior. Shame about a “one-off” decision in the past will continue to nag you until you figure out how to avoid the same mistake in the future.

      So how can you avoid realizing ten years out that some big purchase you made supported someone you disagree with? How can you do it in advance?

      • fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com
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        7 hours ago

        When you can predict the behavior of a company 10 years out, you pet me know. I’ll make you my banker.

        Until then, that whole comment is hot garbage.

      • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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        9 hours ago

        Don’t be a dick. No one’s going around investigating the corporate culture of every parent corporation that they buy their product from because they’d be at it all damn day.

        Did you even watch The Good Place that’s the whole point of the show, you can’t be a “good” person based on absolute morals, because it’s impossible in the 21st century as the world is too complicated.