Market Data 
Trading in a Tesla? There’s a new TikTok trend for that.
People are posting before-and-after videos of their Tesla trade-ins accompanied by the hashtag “ByeTesla” and Taylor Swift’s 2017 hit, “Look What You Made Me Do.”
As with most viral TikTok trends, the posts mostly follow a similar format. They show a driver backing out of their garage or driveway in their Tesla as the lyrics play: “I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead.”
Then, the video cuts to the driver pulling up in a new, non-Tesla car to the song’s chorus of “Look what you made me do.”
Rivian seems to be a popular choice among some of the EV switchers. Several of the videos show Tesla owners opting for a vehicle from the California-based EV maker, such as the Rivian R1S, which starts at around $75,900.
Other videos show owners swapping in their Teslas for other EVs, like a Porsche Macan Electric or a Lexus.
“The Tesla sales managers seem so defeated,” one of the users who posted a video wrote in the caption about the reaction of Tesla sales staffers hearing about why the owners decided to sell their vehicle and cancel their Model Y order. Their video featured a digitally imposed “F—k Elon” message over their license plate.
Another user posted a video trading in their Cybertruck for a GMC Hummer EV SUV, which starts at about $98,845, compared to the Cybertruck, which starts at about $99,990. The user wrote in the caption “Change is GOOD-when your principles/morals are important.”
The trend seems to have ramped up a few days ago, with many of the #ByeTesla TikToks posted on Sunday and Monday. The posts followed the biggest day yet of organized anti-Tesla protests on Saturday when more than 200 demonstrations were scheduled to take place outside Tesla showrooms.
The gatherings on Saturday were part of “Tesla Takedown,” which describes itself as a “peaceful protest movement” that began in February amid Elon Musk’s DOGE involvement. The movement has held protests all over the country, as well as in some locations globally.
The “ByeTesla” TikTok trend, however, is further evidence that some Tesla owners are making the decision to sell their vehicles.
Some owners have told BI they sold their Teslas recently following Musk’s political involvement with DOGE, with some saying they were concerned about becoming targets of harassment or vandalism, and others sharing with BI that they felt embarrassed to be seen driving them.
Data also suggests that calls to boycott the brand and offload vehicles are impacting Tesla’s sales numbers.
Tesla delivery numbers reported by multiple countries have been down in recent months across multiple countries. Wall Street analysts are also expecting weak first-quarter delivery numbers when Tesla reports its official tally later this week.
Used Tesla listings have risen by 33% this year, according to data from Cox Automotive, with one industry expert attributing the trend in part to Musk’s influence on the brand name and sales. However, listings for other EVs have also increased by 27% year-to-date and some have also suggested that the increase in Tesla’s used EV market is partly a result of its aging lineup.
While some are selling their Teslas, others are holding on to their shares and vehicles — and buying more in light of backlash against Tesla. One owner recently told BI that after experiencing harassment and vandalism while driving his Cybertruck in a Mardi Gras parade, he decided to buy an additional 185 Tesla shares.
Do you work at a Tesla showroom? Contact the reporter via a non-work email at [email protected] or on Signal at aalt.19.
