• by Tanya Gazdik , March 5, 2025

Image: Reddit @Sponsorspew

Tesla owners are finding creative ways to distance their vehicles from CEO and Founder Elon Musk, in some cases due to fear of vandalism. 

Previously, some put stickers on the vehicles with variations of “I bought this car before I knew Elon was crazy.”

Now, some owners are removing Tesla logos from their vehicles, replacing them with badging from other automakers. 

“Photos of cars that appear to be Teslas with different logos have gone viral,” according to Black Enterprise. “Vehicles with the body of some of its high-end models, now have the branding of Audi or Honda or Toyota. attached. Even Tesla’s provocative yet popular Cybertrucks have gotten a new name stuck to the back of them.”

Users on Reddit are posting the photos of rebranded vehicles. 

“Imagine being so ashamed of driving a Tesla, you just have to do a brand change?” wrote a Reddit user, according to the New York Post.  “The latest batch of Tesla vandalism follows a protracted run of incidents involving Tesla cars being keyed by other motorists.”

Since Musk became a key part of President Trump's administration, a number of Teslas have been vandalized across America.

"Eleven Tesla owners in League City, Dallas had their tires stolen by one protester," according to the Express. 

Upon hearing that a growing number of Teslas are being targeted by vandals, Elon Musk posted to X, stating that: "Damaging the property of others, aka vandalism, is not free speech!"

There are photos on social media showing a Cybertruck having a Toyota logo and a Model 3 and Y using Mazda, Honda and Audi badges on the rear.

“While some call it an attempt to avoid vandalism, others say the reason is an embarrassment to drive a Tesla that they just have to rebrand it,” according to Gulte. “A prolonged series of incidents with Tesla vandalism has been worrying the Tesla owners of late.”

No matter the reason, it’s not a good sign when owners are distancing themselves from a brand they once loved and admired. 

“It took a great deal of work from Tesla employees and the EV community to build Tesla into an incredibly beloved global EV brand,” according to Electrek. “A deep social media addiction, purchasing of Twitter, a move into politics, a few salutes, and now most of that incredible work is gone. It takes years to build a reputation and seconds to destroy it.”