Kia Norway made headlines with a bold Instagram ad mocking Elon Musk. The now-deleted post showed a Kia EV3 with a bumper sticker reading, “I bought this after Elon went crazy.” The phrase parodies a slogan used by some Tesla owners — “I bought this before Elon went crazy” — to distance themselves from Musk’s controversial public image.
Musk faced global backlash after performing a Nazi salute during Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. His involvement in the event and his appointment as head of Trump’s newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) fueled further criticism. Reports suggest the scandal is affecting Tesla’s sales worldwide.
According to CarScoops, Tesla’s sales in Germany dropped by 59.5% in January 2025 and by 76.3% in February. In Australia, sales fell by 65.5% during the same period, while in China, January sales declined by 49.16%. Tesla’s stock has also dropped over 30% since the start of the year.
Read More: Tesla Launches Updated Model Y in China
Kia’s marketing move aims to attract disillusioned Tesla owners by positioning the EV3 as an alternative. While the ad has been removed, it has already gained widespread attention, further highlighting the challenges Tesla is facing amid Musk’s growing controversies.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates