
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who once adored his Tesla Model S, has publicly criticized the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s user interface, calling it “the worst in the world.”
His comments come as Tesla grapples with its longest stock slump in over a year, declining for seven consecutive weeks.
Wozniak, a technology pioneer with a keen eye for intuitive design, praised Tesla’s innovation a decade ago but now says the car’s interface has become “miserable” due to frequent and confusing software changes.
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“Coming from Apple, the user interface, the way you deal with technology, is the most important thing in the world to me,” Wozniak told CNBC. “And Tesla is the worst in the world at that.”
He expressed frustration over the vehicle’s ever-changing software that makes simple tasks, such as finding the time of day or using favorite radio channels, overly complicated.
“The modes hide things that aren’t there, and your finger knows how to get them. Nothing makes sense in that car, intuitively,” he said.
Wozniak highlighted a particular incident involving Tesla’s controversial yoke steering wheel. His wife was pulled over for failing to signal a turn because she struggled to locate the turn signal button on the touchscreen. The situation worsened when she couldn’t find the glove box button to retrieve the car’s insurance, as it was buried within the screen’s menus.
A Criticism Amid Tesla’s Stock Slump
Wozniak’s criticism comes at a challenging time for Tesla. The automaker’s stock has fallen for seven straight weeks, its longest losing streak since December 2022. The downturn has wiped out billions of dollars in market value, raising concerns among investors.
Tesla’s struggles are linked to multiple factors, including CEO Elon Musk’s controversial politics and rising competition from Chinese EV makers.
Musk’s political stance has increasingly become a double-edged sword for Tesla. Once hailed as a visionary, Musk’s public alignment with right-wing politics and his unfiltered comments on social media platform X have polarized Tesla’s customer base.
In 2022, Musk declared his support for Republican candidates, ending his history of voting for Democrats. He has frequently waded into divisive debates, criticizing the Biden administration, promoting conspiracy theories, and attacking the mainstream media. His political views have alienated some environmentally conscious consumers who were among Tesla’s earliest supporters.
The fallout is evident in surveys and anecdotal evidence suggesting that some customers are hesitant to buy Tesla vehicles due to Musk’s behavior. A 2023 Morning Consult survey revealed that Tesla’s brand favorability among Democrats plummeted by over 20 percentage points since Musk acquired Twitter in late 2022.
Rising Competition from China
At the same time, Tesla faces mounting competition from Chinese automakers such as BYD, Nio, and Xpeng. These companies are not only undercutting Tesla on price but also offering innovative features that appeal to tech-savvy consumers.
BYD, in particular, has surpassed Tesla in global EV sales, leveraging China’s vast domestic market and aggressive expansion overseas. Chinese EV makers have also benefited from robust government support, which includes subsidies and incentives that have helped them gain a foothold in Europe and other regions.
Musk Acknowledges Tesla’s Struggles
On Sunday, Elon Musk acknowledged the challenges Tesla is facing. Responding to a customer who bought a new Cybertruck, Musk expressed gratitude to Tesla’s supporters, hinting at the adversities the company is enduring.
“Heartfelt thanks to everyone supporting @Tesla, despite many attacks against our stores and offices,” he posted on X.
Musk did not elaborate on the nature of the attacks. However, Tesla has faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing over alleged racial discrimination at its Fremont factory. Additionally, Tesla showrooms in some locations have been targeted by protestors over labor practices and customer service issues.
Industry Experts Allay Concerns Over Tesla’s Future
While Wozniak’s criticism and Tesla’s stock slump paint a grim picture, some industry experts believe the company’s underlying fundamentals remain strong. They argue that Tesla’s brand loyalty and its advancements in battery technology and autonomous driving will continue to drive sales.
However, they warn that Tesla must address its user interface and other concerns and navigate its political and competitive challenges carefully to maintain its market position.