This suggests that a reaction from consumers who dislike Mr Musk’s antics are only one reason for falling sales. An updated Model Y, Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, has just gone on sale. In preparation Tesla ran down inventory of the old model, crimping supply. Customers doubtless held off purchases until the new car was available.

Kimbal Musk, the brother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has been offloading shares of Tesla in recent months just as the stock has made a massive retreat from all-time highs. The electric vehicle maker, however briefly, had been among the select group of trillion-dollar companies following the stock’s post-U.S. presidential election surge.