I'd argue the majority of Tesla owners are aware of who he is.

If Tesla were to only keep the hardcore customer base it would massively fail.

Their goal is to be the most popular brand. In that case, the hardcore user base becomes only a small percentage.

True, but your average Joe has no idea who's the CEO of Ford, GM, and any other major car manufacturer. And they definitely have no clue about their politics or antics.

Fame cuts many ways. Steve Jobs played it pretty well but it's a hard game to win.

Your average Joe didn't know who Mike Lindell was until a couple of years ago either (even with his ads on news channels). Among a certain crowd, Musk is being hailed as a champion of free speech and a warrior against cancel culture. These are not Tesla drivers.

I still have no clue who Mike Lindell is

I'll spoil this pleasure for you: he's a guy who sells pillows online and vocally supports Trump. Seems quite unhinged, possibly related to his long-term drug abuse and eventual religious conversion.

Sure but Telsa buyers aren't your average Joe.

There are so many Teslas in Los Angeles it’s called the California Camry.

And yet living there I can tell you I see way more Camrys. Even in LA Tesla is a luxury subgroup vehicle and luxury vehicle owners are very sensitive to fashion/social signaling.

Barely knowing anything about Musk is sufficient to know enough not to want to buy his cars.

If the only thing I knew about him is what he called one of the Thai cave rescuers, that would be sufficient to not want to buy his car. I don't have to keep "up to date" on anything he says.

A couple of years ago, yes. Now, many know who he is, even if it's through the Facebook grapevine. The political climate has absolutely elevated many who previously were unknown or (Mike Lindell, for example)

Can the average Joe afford a Tesla? If they can, are they really average?

Can you clarify or should I just assume that I shall be downvoted into oblivion for asking?

The parent comment said this is vastly overblown, because 'average people' don't know who Musk is.

If 'average people' won't buy a Tesla, then this line of reasoning is moot?

That parent implied average people affect Tesla revenue, so asking if they can afford the car is very relevant. Only opinions of potential buyers actually matters.

If we’re going to make “average Joe” arguments then I’d like to see why someone believes that someone that can afford a Tesla is average given median income distribution in almost any country.

>> I think this is vastly overblown. Your average Joe barely knows who Elon Musk is.

This may have been true last year, but Elon has been all over the news for the past six months, so it's difficult to argue that the average person "barely" knows who he is.

> Your average Joe barely knows who Elon Musk is.

You're underestimating the average person.