Tesla is not going through its best moment. With declining sales in Europe this past February and growing rejection from both general drivers and even some of its loyal followers, Elon Musk’s brand has certainly seen better days.
As the saying goes, one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. And in this case, that man is Jeremy Clarkson, the former Top Gear host and well-known automobile expert. In his latest column for The Sunday Times, Clarkson has launched a scathing attack on Elon Musk, referencing the recent controversies that have put Tesla in the spotlight while also recalling a feud that began 17 years ago. With everything happening now, Clarkson has declared the rivalry officially over.
And he did so in no uncertain terms: “I want to remind all Tesla drivers that 17 years ago, I warned you that nothing good would come from buying these cars, but you didn’t listen. You chose to believe Elon Musk.”
The Jeremy Clarkson vs. Elon Musk Feud
Seventeen years ago, in 2008, Top Gear aired a harsh critique of the Tesla Roadster, then the crown jewel of Elon Musk’s brand. In response, Musk sued Clarkson for defamation—but lost both the lawsuit and the subsequent appeal.
In fact, Musk even claimed that the Top Gear team had deliberately sabotaged the Tesla Roadster to create problems during the review. Clarkson considered suing him for those accusations but, as he explained in his column, decided to wait and let time prove him right.
That said, Clarkson acknowledged that it is unfair for someone who works hard to pay for their car—even if it’s a Tesla—to lose it simply because a group of activists has now decided to take aim at the company. However, he made this concession with the undeniable satisfaction of a man who has, at last, found his revenge.
