Author: jeff

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mahican Gielen, a radiologist in Hjørring, Denmark, about swapping her Tesla Model 3 for a BYD Sealion 7. It has been edited for length and clarity.

We live in Denmark, in the city of Hjørring, but we’re actually from Holland. My husband and I are both doctors: I’m a radiologist, and he’s a cardiologist.

I bought a Tesla Model 3 three years ago. It was my first electric car, and I’d wanted a Tesla for years.

My kids even pushed me because they knew I was looking for a car. They said: “Mom, it should be a Tesla. That’s the best car. It’s a green car. It saves the planet.”

I have to say, I loved that car. It was such a big step up from the normal combustion engines and had so many cool features. I still miss it sometimes.

The first time I got a bit annoyed with my Tesla was when the company started cutting the prices. I bought mine right before, so that hurt.

Elon Musk joining the Trump administration was the final straw. I love cars, but if owning one gets overruled by the constant noise about the CEO and people asking whether it bothers me, then the fun goes out of it.

I just didn’t want the headache anymore.

I know there is more to the company. But when you have a CEO who’s so visible, he just becomes one with the company. And I really feel bad for Tesla because I like the brand. They were so innovative and new.

But this was a step too far. It really made me say, you know what? I’m going to get rid of this car. It’s not going to get any better from here, so I’ll just cut my losses.

Buying a…

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