--- title: "Tesla Falls 50 Spots in Survey of America’s Most Reputable Brands" description: "Tesla just fell 50 spots — from number 12 to 62 — in Axios' Harris Poll, an annual survey that ranks America's top 100 most reputable brands." date: "2023-05-26" modified: "2023-05-26" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/tesla-falls-survey-reputable" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" tags: - "elon musk" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Tesla Falls 50 Spots in Survey of America’s Most Reputable Brands ![Tesla just fell 50 spots — from number 12 to 62 — in Axios' Harris Poll, an annual survey that ranks America's top 100 most reputable brands.]() *MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 06: Elon Musk walks in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) \Image: Getty Images\* ## Big Drop Tesla just fell 50 spots in *Axios*' Harris Poll, [an annual survey]() that ranks the nation's top 100 most reputable brands. In [last year's survey](), the Elon Musk-led EV manufacturer enjoyed a respectable spot at number 11. This year, however, the poll, which surveyed 16,310 Americans, tells a very different story. Amid a number of [lawsuits]() and [government inquiries]() — in addition, of course, to Musk's [chaotic acquisition of Twitter](), his full-on descent into [conspiracy-mongering](), and [public bullying of employees]() — it seems that Tesla, which now sits at number 62 on the chart, has lost a fair share of public trust. Surprise! Actions have consequences. ## Vote of No Confidence To add insult to injury, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, and [EV rival Ford]() all earned higher spots than Tesla. In all fairness, the Harris Poll judges companies by a number of factors, and in some of these categories — trajectory and vision in particular — Tesla still ranked quite highly. In the categories of character, trust, and citizenship, however, Tesla's ranking was considered just "fair" — on par with JC Pennies, but a step below Arby's and Chevron. ## Growing Dissent While the Harris Poll surveys the general public, it's also worth noting that Musk's recent personal and professional antics haven't just impacted the public's perception of him and his companies. They've also worried Tesla investors, who have watched the [EV firm's stock price]() go on a rollercoaster ride. They've [complained]() that Musk has been too distracted by his chaotic Twitter takeover, causing him to abandon his role as CEO at the company. The survey results highlight how Musk's controversial actions have tarnished Tesla's reputation in a matter of just a year. Twitter, meanwhile, ranked 97th. **More on Tesla:** [*Steve Wozniak: If You Want to Learn about AI Killing People, "Get a Tesla"*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()