“I’ve Seen Tesla Owners Trying To Disguise Their Model 3 and Cybertruck With Another Car Brand’s Logo, Why? They Don’t Want To Be Associated With Tesla”

"People worldwide are trying to hide their Tesla models in plain sight, but why are they disguising their cars?"

That's the question that electric vehicle enthusiast molesrcool (@molesrcool) asks on his TikTok video. The video has attracted 1.7 million views as of this writing. Others want to know the answer.

It's a shared concern among Tesla owners worldwide-the need to hide their Tesla models in plain sight . But what's driving this collective action of disguising their cars?

molesrcool says,  

"Why are so many people right now trying to hide the fact that they own a Tesla vehicle? It's not just the Cybertruck. It's all Tesla models. Something is going on right now where people don't want to be associated with this brand."

Imagine buying a Tesla Model 3 or a Tesla Cybertruck. Now your vehicle is getting egged and keyed in the grocery parking lot, and everywhere you go, people are giving you the middle finger and shouting obscenities at you because you drive a Tesla.

If you want to trade in your Tesla vehicle, you will lose too much money, so you must keep it. What do you do now? By switching out the logo, you try to disguise your Tesla vehicle and make it look like another car brand's model. 

That's the extreme that Tesla owners are going to just to avoid being harassed. While it may help some Tesla owners, there's a more significant issue underneath that fake logo.  

"This person didn't just put the Audi logo on the rear of this Tesla Model 3; they also put the model type (A5) and engine type (2.0T), trying to disguise their Model 3 as something else altogether."

molesrcool says, "I've seen a Tesla Model 3 disguised with a Mazda and a Honda logo. This trend continues as people are desperate to get rid of their Tesla vehicles and can't."

Some Tesla owners want to get rid of their Cybertruck and can't 

"People can't get rid of their Tesla Cybertruck. One owner said it was impossible to get rid of a Tesla Cybertruck. I want to cut my losses and move on, but I can't give this thing away. I've lost so much money already," one owner says. 

Tesla Sales Are Plummeting in Europe

"At the same time, Tesla sales are plummeting in Europe. Tesla sales are now down 70% in Germany," molesrcool says. 

"While Tesla is valued like a tech company, they are a car company. The vast majority of their revenue comes from selling cars and getting regulatory credits for selling those cars."  

"Another source of revenue comes from leasing cars, which is just another way of selling cars, so when their sales go down, all of their profits except for energy generation go down."

"So with fewer regulatory credits they receive from selling cars, their profits go down."

What Should Tesla Owners Do Now?

A report from USA Today says that many Tesla owners are being harassed and targeted by "anti-Musk vandals."

The report says, "Teslas are already equipped with security features including cabin cameras, alarms if the trunk or doors are opened without a key, and Sentry Mode, which monitors the environment around unattended cars. That feature can use external cameras and switch on alerts and alarms to dissuade potential thieves or vandals − and alert owners via a mobile app that something is happening."

The report says here's what owners can do. 

Leverage Tesla's Security Features:

• Sentry Mode: This feature uses the car's cameras to monitor the vehicle's surroundings when parked and can alert you to suspicious activity via the Tesla app. 
• PIN to Drive: This feature requires a PIN entry before the car can be driven, adding an extra layer of security. 

Be Aware of Your Surroundings:

• Parking Location: Choose well-lit parking spots that have good visibility. 
• Time of Day: Avoid parking in areas that are known to be unsafe or have high crime rates, especially during late hours. 
• Be Mindful of Potential Targets: Be aware of any suspicious activity or individuals that might be targeting your car. 

Consider Additional Security Measures:

• Security Cameras: If you're concerned about vandalism, consider installing additional security cameras around your home or workplace to deter criminals. 
• Alarm Systems: You can also consider installing an alarm system on your Tesla to alert you to any unauthorized access or tampering. 

Know Your Rights and Resources:

• Tesla Customer Support: If you experience any issues or concerns, contact Tesla's customer support for assistance. 
• Local Law Enforcement: If you are the victim of harassment or vandalism, report it to the local police immediately. 

Conclusion and Questions for Tesla Owners:

Tesla owner harassment is real and will not go away anytime soon. The anti-Elon Musk sentiment, which is a negative perception or dislike towards the CEO of Tesla, runs deep with many people. You know it's terrible when Tesla owners try to disguise their vehicles with another automaker's logo. It's not a good time to own a Tesla vehicle in many cities nationwide and Europe.

Do you own a Tesla car or Cybertruck, and what have you experienced where you live? If so, we encourage you to share your experiences by clicking the red 'Add New Comment' link below . Your insights can help other Tesla owners.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: My Tesla Cybertruck Was Keyed With a Knife Down the Side, I’m a School Teacher, My Husband is a Construction Worker, and We’ve Worked Incredibly Hard to Own Our CT

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via molesrcool