Tesla’s electric vehicle sales dropped 13.5% in the second quarter to 384,122 units, Axios reported. It was the second straight year-over-year decline, as political controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk continues to stir backlash. EVs provide critical cash flow for Tesla, as they fund projects such as self-driving technology and humanoid robots. Deliveries of the Model Y and Model 3 fell 11.5%, while the “Other” category, including the Cybertruck, plunged 51.8%. Deliveries landed within analyst expectations and beat bearish forecasts from online trackers, despite the decline in sales. The company has grappled with consumer pushback, including vandalism, linked to Musk’s vocal support for Trump and recent leadership role in the Department of Government Efficiency. Tensions between Musk and Trump have since escalated following disputes over budget priorities.
