The long list for the much-hyped Tesla Model 3 might have been reduced as Tesla fans are canceling their orders for the midpriced all-electric sedan. It has been reported that this was due to Elon Musk's ties with President Donald Trump.
Although it is still unclear as to the exact numbers of those who are canceling their orders for Model 3, Tesla is required to refund them their $1000 deposit. Tesla has over 400,000 Model 3 reservations and the company has stated that their first full year of production has been relatively sold out.
The customers' decision to cancel their orders for Tesla Model 3 comes at the heels of Elon Musk commenting on President Trump's new executive order banning people from Muslim-majority countries to enter the United States. In fact, the new immigration ban has received significant backlash, both in the country and overseas.
Tesla seems to have been among the company that has been indirectly targeted by a few people who are strongly against the new executive order from President Trump. Elon Musk has become part of the Strategic and Policy Forum under President Trump's administration.
He has met with the President on a couple of occasions and also has become closer to the admin since the election, reports Electrek. It has been reported that because of this, Tesla fans and some of Elon Musk's supporters have turned against him and his company. Canceling their orders is their way of protesting Musk's ties with the Trump administration.
However, according to CNBC, Elon Musk took to Twitter and voiced out his concerns regarding the executive order issued by President Trump. But his disapproval was still not strong enough for a few people. He soon crowd-sourced amendments that he would present to the President and council.
Tesla and CEO Elon Musk were not the only target of indirect protest from consumers. Uber subscribers have been hitting the unsubscribe button because of CEO Travis Kalanick's connection with President Trump. Like Musk, he is also in the Strategic and Policy Forum.
Tesla will begin production of the Model 3 by mid-2017 and is expected to hit volume production by the end of the year. The cancellation movement may not have made a huge dent on Tesla long reservation list but it seems that the people's message may have gotten through the CEO.
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