Bold claim: Tesla cut off all contact with MKBHD after he sold his Cybertruck, provoking a heated debate about loyalty, publicity, and corporate optics. But here’s the full story, clarified and expanded for beginners, with context you can grasp at a glance.
Tech influencer Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, says his relationship with Tesla vanished after he sold his Cybertruck. He revealed this during a appearance on George Saliba’s YouTube channel—Saliba is a prominent automotive creator and one of the US’s larger car dealership owners.
The video, posted on Saliba’s channel under the title Tesla Stopped Talking to MKBHD, So He’s Borrowing One of Ours to Review, shows MKBHD at Saliba’s dealership asking to borrow a Model Y for a test drive and review.
According to MKBHD, the reason for the silence isn’t a poor review. He explains: “Tesla stopped talking to me; it’s not because I gave a negative review, it’s just that I sold my Cybertruck.”
He adds more detail: he had both a Rivian R1T and a Cybertruck, and he ordered both even before he had seen either vehicle.
The Rivian turned out to be great, and so did the Cybertruck. Ultimately, he didn’t see a need to keep both trucks, so he sold the Cybertruck while keeping the Rivian.
MKBHD also notes he didn’t want to make a big deal about selling the Cybertruck, choosing to announce it quietly on Instagram rather than engaging Tesla enthusiasts on X (formerly Twitter). A repost of that simple “sold” caption sparked controversy among some Tesla fans.
In his video, he says many people assumed he had turned against Tesla, and he even mentions Elon Musk unfollowed him on social media after the sale.
To summarize his experience: after selling the Cybertruck, Tesla reportedly stopped responding to his communications, and he says, “I never hear from Tesla again.”
This sequence strikes many as an overreaction from Tesla for a straightforward business decision—selling a company’s vehicle. What stands out is MKBHD’s influence: he was among Tesla’s early-access testers during the Cybertruck reveal, one of only a few publications granted hands-on access.
Yet two years later, Tesla appears to have cut off contact entirely, and it won’t even loan him a vehicle for review. MKBHD’s channel draws millions of views, which represents a significant opportunity for Tesla to gain free publicity as it faces sales challenges.
Public reaction online has largely disappointed followers who feel the ban was unnecessary or petty. Readers note the double standard in brand loyalty expectations: audiences are asked to be loyal to brands that frequently change policies or favor shareholders, while creators are expected to stay neutral and positive.
Commenters have offered sharp takes, including:
- Tech and car companies sometimes demand brand loyalty from reviewers while acting in ways that prioritize shareholders over consumers.
- Tesla’s culture and brand interactions can come across as petty or impulsive, depending on who is asking.
- Some people see Elon Musk’s social-media behavior as immature in public debates about the company.
If you’re curious, share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think a company should sever ties with a creator simply because that creator chose to switch or sell a vehicle? Is there a line between private decisions and public influence in branding? How should automakers balance reviewer relationships with selling or changing products?
For more updates, visit torquenews.com/Tesla for ongoing Tesla coverage and related EV industry news.
Additional context: Some discussions online point to broader concerns among Cybertruck owners and potential class-action movements over claimed promises. You can explore those debates here: Tesla Cybertruck Owners Are Looking To Launch A Class-Action Lawsuit Against Tesla For Fraudulent Claims – One Owner Says He Only Bought A Cybertruck Because Of A Future Promise That Hasn’t Been Met (https://www.torquenews.com/11826/tesla-cybertruck-owners-are-looking-launch-class-action-lawsuit-against-tesla-fraudulent).
Tinsae Aregay, a long-time Tesla watcher and writer for Torque News, continues daily coverage of the EV space, including Tesla, Elon Musk, the energy sector, and autonomy. Follow him for frequent updates on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay.
