Tesla has turned to using ‘edgy’ social media marketing amid a brand damage crisis caused by CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla famously didn’t use advertising until it started dabbling in it in 2023—shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought Twitter, a platform that relies on advertising.
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for Tesla to start running ads on Twitter amid an exodus of advertisers on the controversial platform that rebranded to ‘X’.
Despite advertising for the first time, Tesla remains timid on that front and still primarily relies on other marketing strategies, like social media content and word of mouth.
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Historically, Tesla’s social media presence has been quite tame. The automaker wouldn’t post much besides important releases and the occasional marketing material.
That changed in 2023 after Musk acquired the platform. He launched a new account for businesses that cost $1,000 monthly for the main account and then $50 per month for every other “affiliated account.” Tesla quickly created 13 different affiliated accounts for the platforms.
The number has since risen to 37 accounts since our original report. Many of these accounts are barely used today, but a few have become quite active.
They have ramped up their posts lately as Tesla is experiencing severe demand problems amid a brand crisis. Tesla is under boycotts from left-leaning people in the US over the belief that Musk is using Tesla as his own personal piggy bank to finance the rise of fascism in the US.
During that time, Tesla has ramped up its use of social media, primarily X, and it has turned to a growing trend amongst brands on social media: trying to be funny and edgy.
Companies like Wendy’s, Ryan Air, and others have popularized this marketing strategy by responding to social media content with funny replies that some may find offensive.
Tesla is giving it a try over the last few days, but it is falling flat as the sense of humour appears to be to the same level as its CEO’s; a stunted 14-year-old’s humor:
Here Tesla is making fun of the fact that Cybertruck still doesn’t have the “actual smart summon” feature, which some are calling ‘ASS’.
After launching a new Diamond Black color last week, Tesla used this meme, which fell flat:
This one is a bit better. It’s a play of Time’s new front page news about bringing back the dire wolf. Tesla says that it brought back the turn signal stalk:
However, the turn signal stalk was never extinct. Every car except Teslas still has one, and even Tesla’s Model Y still has it. They just didn’t remove it with the redesign.
Going really edgy, Tesla’s Optimus account even posted on adult content on X:
Will this new marketing effort pay off or will Tesla need more to counter the brand damage?
Electrek’s Take
I think we all know the answer to that question. Look, humor is humor. There are different senses of humor out there, and people like different things.
Some people may like these, but personally, I think they all fall flat.
Furthermore and more importantly, Tesla is almost entirely focusing its social media effort on X, which ranks 12th in the world for monthly users in social media.
Tesla is just preaching to the choir there. If it wants to have a real impact, it will have to support Musk’s competitors and go to Instagram, TikTok, etc.
It’s just the latest example of Musk stunting Tesla’s growth due to his extracurricular activities.
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The average US new car price crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in September, according to new estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Prices have been climbing steadily for over a year, and the pace picked up this summer – but that hasn’t stopped Americans from buying.
KBB says September’s record average transaction price (ATP) was partly driven by luxury models and EVs, which pushed the market into record territory. EVs made up an estimated 11.6% of all new vehicles sold last month, which is also a record high. The average EV sold for $58,124 – up 3.5% from August’s adjusted figure.
In Q3, EV sales hit another milestone: 437,487 EVs were sold in the US, giving them a 10.5% market share. That’s nearly a 30% jump from the same period last year. With government-backed EV incentives expiring at the end of September, many buyers hurried to lock in their purchases.
Year-over-year, the average EV transaction price is basically flat, down just 0.4%. Incentives averaged 15.3% of ATP in September, or about $8,900 per vehicle – slightly lower than August but higher than a year ago, when incentives averaged 13%.
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Tesla, which continues to dominate the EV market, saw an average ATP of $54,138 in September. That’s a slight dip from August and down 6.8% from a year earlier. With Tesla recently introducing the new Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, KBB expects average prices across the segment to fall in the coming months. Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, thinks the market is “ripe for disruption.”
“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that,” said Keating. “The $20,000 vehicle is now mostly extinct, and many price-conscious buyers are sidelined or cruising in the used-vehicle market. Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory.”
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It’s official. The Genesis GV70 is about to get two new electrified options, including its first hybrid and extended-range (EREV) versions.
Two new Genesis GV70 electrified SUVs are coming soon
Genesis is turning 10, and it’s planning to go all out. Hyundai gave us a look at what’s coming last month during its CEO Investor Day.
The plans include Genesis expanding with new electrified powertrain offerings, including its first hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles.
Up until now, the luxury automaker has focused on fully electric (EV) or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By expanding into different electrified powertrains, Genesis hopes to attract new buyers to the brand while grabbing a bigger share of the luxury market.
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Genesis will launch its first hybrid in 2026, the GV80. We knew the GV70 EREV would follow shortly after, but now it’s been confirmed that a hybrid model is also set to join the lineup.
We got our first look at the Genesis GV70 EREV last week. The vehicle was parked in South Korea and appeared to be nearly identical to the current model. Aside from a tag labeling it an EREV and a massive muffler at the back, it looks about the same as the Electrified GV70.
Now, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Hybrid version. The Genesis GV70 Hybrid was also caught by HealerTV in South Korea, this time with an HEV tag.
Like the EREV, the GV70 Hybrid is still covered in camouflage, but this time, you can see the vehicle has the brand’s sport package. The optional package adds sporty exterior and interior elements, including chrome around the Crest Grille and window trim.
The Genesis Electrified GV70 (Source: Genesis)
The vehicle is still a prototype, so it could change by the time it reaches production form. However, as the reporter points out, the GV70 Hybrid could bring a unique new look to the GV70 series.
On the side of the tire, the letters “FL” are printed, which is typically shown on Hyundai vehicles set to receive a facelift.
Genesis plans to launch new luxury EVs, hybrids, and EREVs (Source: Hyundai)
Genesis is expected to launch the GV70 EREV in late 2026, followed by the Hybrid version sometime in early 2027.
According to Hyundai, the EREV will have a combined driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles). Although it still runs on an electric motor, it will feature a small gas motor that acts as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range.
Genesis is betting on new electrified vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and EREVs, to drive growth. The luxury brand aims to expand into up to 20 new European markets while gaining a bigger share of the US market. By 2030, Genesis aims to sell 350,000 vehicles.
Although it had planned to only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030, Genesis backed off on its commitment. Instead, it will use hybrids and EREVs as a bridge to an all-electric future.
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Duracell, the iconic US battery brand that started in the 1920s, is crossing the Atlantic to launch its first-ever EV fast charging network, Duracell E-Charge, in the UK.
Sales of gas and diesel cars will end by 2030 in the UK, which is driving EV sales and charging infrastructure growth. With more than £200 million ($266 million) in planned investment over the next decade, Duracell E-Charge is getting on the bandwagon with an aim to improve the fast charging experience.
Duracell has licensed its new network to Elektra Charge, a charge point operator set up to run the Duracell E-Charge network. The EV Network (EVN), one of the UK’s top charging infrastructure developers, will fund and build the charging hubs.
“The need for faster, more reliable charging to keep pace with EV adoption is clear,” said Reza Shaybani, CEO of The EV Network. “Duracell E-Charge is a direct response to that challenge.”
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Duracell’s EV fast charging network will feature 400 kW ultra-fast chargers where drivers can pay via app, contactless, or plug-and-go. Each site will have intuitive interfaces, clear signage, and 24/7 support.
The first six Duracell E-Charge sites will come online in 2025. The Sunday Timesreported that Duracell plans to grow its charging network to at least 100 charging stations with at least 500 charging points by 2030. The hubs will be strategically located along major motorways, near retail and hospitality venues, and at key city gateways.
“Charging your car should be as simple as changing the batteries in your remote,” said Mark Bloxham, managing director of Duracell E-Charge. “Plug. Play. Go.”
Electrek’s Take
I asked Duracell whether it had plans to launch Duracell E-Charge in the US, and I’ll update this story if I hear back. But if you want to know why this American legacy company launched its first DC fast charging network in the UK instead of the US, it’s a simple answer. Business-friendly, stable government policy.
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