Tesla sales drop to lowest since 2022 amid Musk backlash

Demonstrations have picked up in recent weeks in response to Elon Musk asserting himself in support of far-right causes

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Tesla Inc.'s vehicle sales fell 13% last quarter to an almost three-year low, as the carmaker made over its most important model and dealt with international backlash against Elon Musk.

The company said on Wednesday that it delivered 336,681 vehicles in the first three months of the year, its worst showing since the second quarter of 2022. Analysts on average were expecting the company to sell more than 390,000 cars and trucks, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The figures speak to the extent of the disruptions to Tesla's business early this year.

The company retooled factories around the globe to make the redesigned Model Y, leading to lost output that's common when carmakers transition from one vehicle generation to the next. The extraordinary factor was Musk's involvement in global politics that sparked protests across the US and Europe.

Demonstrations have picked up in recent weeks in response to Musk asserting himself in Washington and beyond in support of far-right candidates and causes.