I think you're looking at it from the wrong end.

You're right that most people don't want to buy an ideological badge. They want a quality vehicle. The problem is that Musk turned Tesla into an ideological badge.

Off the top of your head, can you think of a single political remark made by the owners of Audi, Toyota, or Hyundai?

In Europe, even most of the right wing, except the _real_ fringes, get a _little_ uncomfortable about _Nazi salutes_. For, y'know, obvious reasons.

(Tbh, I'm amazed that the right in the US seem willing to give him a pass on that.)

1) Left wing people have been more likely to buy an EV because they're seen as better for the environment.

2) Even if he only drives away the left wing half of the population that still halves his customer base.

You're confused.

I am a human, so that's entirely possible, but perhaps you'd like to expand on this point, otherwise, I risk remaining confused.

Let me be clear about my point though, Tesla's are _not_ quality vehicles, and given a choice, consumers with money will not select them. Politics do not enter into this equation outside of Hacker News.