**Elon Musk Defends Tesla's Record Sales Amid Political Backlash**

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently addressed concerns that his open support for former President Donald Trump could be impacting his company’s performance. During a recent discussion on X Space, Musk asserted that Tesla’s sales are hitting "all-time highs," emphasizing that customers prioritize the quality of the product over the political views of its CEO.

Tesla's Q3 2023 vehicle deliveries reportedly reached 463,000 units, setting a quarterly record. Musk attributed this success to the quality of Tesla vehicles, although he acknowledged planned downtimes for factory upgrades, which slightly impacted overall volume. Despite these positive delivery numbers, Tesla’s cumulative performance in 2024 paints a more complex picture. The company’s total deliveries amounted to 1,293,656 units, a decrease of over 30,000 units compared to the first three quarters of 2023 when deliveries stood at 1,324,074 units.

Musk's commentary comes amid concerns that his political alignment with Trump could detrimentally affect Tesla. Polls indicate that some consumers are hesitant to purchase Tesla vehicles due to Musk’s public political stances. For instance, Rossmann, a major European pharmacy chain and long-time Tesla client, announced it would stop converting its fleet to Tesla vehicles in light of Musk's support for Trump and the associated anti-environmentalist policies.

Despite this, Musk seems unperturbed by such claims, suggesting that any CEO is bound to have political views and what truly matters is product excellence. However, critics argue that Musk's actions go beyond normal political expression, potentially alienating a segment of the market.

Moreover, Musk's aggressive promotion of the Cybertruck has garnered mixed reactions. While some consumers appreciate the innovation, others view it as a symbol of incompetence, complicating Tesla's image as a mainstream and desirable brand.

In conclusion, Musk’s firm stand on political issues and their potential influence on Tesla's sales remains a topic of debate. Although Q3 2023 showed promise, the overall trend in 2024 suggests that Tesla may face significant challenges ahead.