Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, SpaceX, and multiple other ventures, is facing accusations that he has lost interest in Tesla, the company that revolutionized the electric vehicle (EV) market. These claims come from Esben Pedersen, Tesla’s former communications manager for Denmark and Norway, who worked closely with Musk for years. Pedersen asserts that Musk is no longer invested in Tesla’s future, shifting his focus to other ventures such as SpaceX, Neuralink, and his social media platform, X.
Musk’s alleged disengagement comes at a critical time for Tesla, as the company faces mounting challenges, including labor disputes, declining market dominance, and controversial design decisions. Despite Tesla’s continued success in some regions, Pedersen and other industry insiders suggest that Musk’s waning interest could have serious implications for the company’s future.
Elon Musk’s Tesla exit? Ex-insider says CEO has mentally left the company
According to Pedersen, Musk has a pattern of fully dedicating himself to projects he believes in—while leaving behind those that no longer align with his interests. He argues that Tesla may now fall into the latter category.
“Elon Musk is particularly good at two things: exploiting people and situations to his own advantage, and then committing 100 percent to what he believes in,” Pedersen told Motor magazine. “But Tesla is no longer what he believes in.”
Pedersen, who had over 20 in-person meetings with Musk during his eight-year tenure at Tesla, claims that the billionaire is now more focused on ventures like SpaceX’s Mars colonization efforts, Neuralink’s brain-computer interface development, and his controversial acquisition of X (formerly Twitter).
This shift in priorities has raised concerns among investors and industry experts, as Musk has been a key driver behind Tesla’s innovation, growth, and branding. Without his full attention, some fear Tesla could struggle to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving EV market.
Tesla faces challenges in the Nordic market
Pedersen’s claims come amid Tesla’s ongoing struggles in the Nordic region. In Sweden, the company has been facing a major labor dispute, with union-led blockades preventing Tesla from registering new license plates and expanding its Supercharger network.
Musk has long opposed labor unions, referring to them as divisive and likening them to a system of “masters and subjects.” His anti-union stance has led to tensions between Tesla and European labor organizations, further complicating the company’s expansion efforts.
Despite these obstacles, Tesla’s sales in the Nordic region remain relatively strong, although the brand’s dominance has waned. In Denmark, the Tesla Model Y remains the sixth most popular vehicle overall, regardless of fuel type. However, Tesla as a brand has dropped out of the top 10 in national car sales rankings—a sign that its market influence may be declining.
The Musk effect: How his persona impacts Tesla sales
While some consumers have distanced themselves from Tesla due to Musk’s polarizing political affiliations, others continue to support the company because of their admiration for its CEO.
A survey conducted by Automobilwoche found that one in five Tesla buyers cited Musk’s personality, actions, and public image as a key reason for their purchase. This suggests that Musk’s involvement—or lack thereof—could have a direct impact on Tesla’s brand loyalty and customer base.
His increasing engagement with conservative political figures, including former President Donald Trump, has further divided public opinion. While some Tesla customers appreciate Musk’s outspoken stance on political and social issues, others are reconsidering their association with the brand.
Controversial design choices: “Maybe We Took Away Too Much”
Tesla’s recent design decisions have also sparked debate, with some questioning whether the company’s push for minimalism has gone too far.
Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Technical Director, recently acknowledged this issue during an appearance on Jay Leno’s Garage. He specifically pointed to Tesla’s controversial removal of turn signal stalks in 2023, a move that forced drivers to rely on touchscreen controls for basic functions.
“At Tesla, we have always said that if you don’t take away so much that you have to put something back, you haven’t taken away enough,” Moravy stated. “Well… maybe we took away too much.”
This admission suggests that Tesla may be re-evaluating some of its more radical design choices, particularly as consumer feedback continues to highlight usability concerns.
