As Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock attempts to recover from the recent sell-off, partly triggered by backlash against CEO Elon Musk, data indicates that investors are increasingly considering liquidating their stakes in the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer.
Specifically, interest in the search term “sell Tesla stock” has reached a record high on Google, hitting the peak score of 100 for the week ending March 15, the highest level in the past year and a 78% spike in February, according to Google Trends data retrieved by Finbold on March 17.
Over the past year, interest in selling Tesla stock has seen sporadic spikes before culminating in the current record value. One of the lowest points, recorded at zero, occurred during the week of November 3–9.
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This coincided with a period of post-election optimism for Tesla, driven by Musk’s close ties to then-president-elect Donald Trump. However, most of these gains have since been erased.
Regionally, Canada leads the surge, showing the highest search interest with a peak popularity score of 100. The United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia also registered significant activity.
Why demand to sell Tesla stock is rising
The rush to sell Tesla stock coincides with TSLA’s volatile price movements. The equity dropped below the $250 support zone as investors remain unimpressed by Musk’s political stance and involvement in the Trump administration.
Indeed, some investors, particularly in regions such as Europe, view Musk’s politics as polarizing. This is especially true given his alignment with far-right movements, which may have alienated a portion of Tesla’s core customer base.
What’s more, the backlash has led to incidents of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and facilities, further complicating the company’s brand image. To this end, analyst Ben Kallo from Baird has cautioned that such incidents could dampen demand, as potential buyers may hesitate to purchase vehicles that could become targets.
Adding to Tesla’s bearish sentiment is its declining sales amid growing competition from Chinese manufacturers. For instance, in January, the Texas-based EV giant’s European sales plunged 45% when the region’s overall EV sales surged 34%, with China’s BYD gaining momentum.
With Canada leading Tesla stock sell-off interest, some see it as a backlash against the company in response to Trump’s trade tariffs. Canada’s retaliation has impacted U.S.-made EVs, including Teslas, with some officials even proposing a 100% tariff, citing Musk’s ties to Trump.
At the same time, these search trends align with findings from an early March 2025 study by the Angus Reid Institute, which established that 71% of Canadians support a ban on Tesla sales, primarily due to strong anti-Musk sentiment.
TSLA price analysis
Tesla stock is showing signs of recovery, but overall sentiment remains shaky. As of the March 14 trading session, TSLA was valued at $249.98, up 3.86% on the day but still down over 34% year-to-date.
While the prevailing sentiment around the EV maker remains bearish, some market players believe there is no cause for alarm, arguing that the company’s fundamentals remain strong.
For instance, as reported by Finbold, investment strategist Shay Baloor noted that Tesla is currently “misjudged” by the market. He argued that Tesla should not be seen solely as an EV company but as an emerging leader in artificial intelligence and autonomy, with its full potential likely to materialize by 2026.
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