Tesla has had a tumultuous few weeks and is now at a tipping point. Business Insider spoke with employees, investors, analysts, and Tesla owners to understand some of the company's challenges.
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00:00Tesla's sales are down, protesters are lining up outside Tesla's sales centers, and even some Tesla owners say they're facing blowback.
00:06Business Insider spoke with employees, investors, analysts, and Tesla owners to get an understanding of some of the challenges the company is facing.
00:14Much of the focus has been on Elon Musk's work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed jobs and funding across the federal government.
00:22Musk has taken several steps to course correct.
00:25Musk stood on as Donald Trump made a public show of buying a Tesla and held a surprise public all hands with Tesla employees.
00:33Even Tesla bulls like Dan Ives have warned that the carmaker is facing a brand crisis.
00:38Meanwhile, employees at Tesla have had mixed reactions.
00:42One worker told BI Tesla's market volatility is nothing new and workers get desensitized to it at a certain point.
00:50Other workers have expressed concerns about Musk's focus on politics.
00:54One longtime engineer said that Tesla's mission seems to have shifted.
00:58Morally, I'm not sure how much longer I can work for somebody like that.
01:01For now, Tesla salespeople and Tesla owners seem to be taking the brunt of public anger.
01:06The company has reported several incidents of vandalism at its sales and service centers.
01:11It's not the first time that the carmaker has faced headwinds.
01:14Tesla has been on the brink of extinction more than once, and the company has always found a way to bounce back better than ever.
01:20Still, Tesla is facing a key moment with Musk's unpopularity and his role as a buffer to the public's anger.
01:27Even Musk seems surprised by it.
01:30If you read the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon.
01:33So it's like I can't walk past the TV without seeing a Tesla on fire.
01:37It's a psycho.
01:39To read more, head to BusinessInsider.com.