A Georgia contractor claims his Tesla Cybertruck triggered a wave of customer cancellations—costing his business $70,000 in just one month—and raising new questions about Tesla’s brand image in certain markets.
At a Glance
- Roofing contractor Yoni Menaker says his Cybertruck caused $70,000 in lost business
- Clients reportedly objected to the truck’s appearance and symbolism
- The truck was prominently branded with his company logo
- The story has ignited debate in EV communities and among contractors
- Backlash hints at broader public skepticism around Cybertruck owners
The $70K Cybertruck Controversy
According to Torque News, Yoni Menaker, owner of Blue Angel Roofing in Georgia, posted in a “Cybertruck Owners Only” Facebook group that he had lost roughly $70,000 in deals last month. The reason? Multiple clients told him directly it was because he drove a Cybertruck.
“I have a dilemma… last month, we lost around $70K in deals, and the customers said that it was because we drove a Cybertruck,” Menaker wrote. In one review, a client flatly stated: “If a roofing company has a Cybertruck, maybe reconsider using them as your roofer.”
Backlash Among Tradespeople?
While Menaker still says he loves the truck and didn’t want to sell it, the experience reveals a growing challenge for tradespeople who drive one of Elon Musk’s most polarizing vehicles. Other owners have shared similar accounts of harassment, judgment, or lost business opportunities after adopting the truck, according to Torque News.
The issue may lie less in the vehicle’s performance and more in its branding. Tesla’s Cybertruck, with its extreme design and association with Musk, increasingly symbolizes culture-war baggage in certain markets. For contractors and client-facing small businesses, that image can now interfere with professionalism.
A Cautionary Tale for Business Owners
As the Torque News video report points out, the Cybertruck is catching heat among certain clientele—especially among older, conservative, or price-conscious homeowners who may view it as excessive or untrustworthy.
The question remains: Is Elon Musk’s public image now hurting Tesla owners’ reputations? For tradespeople like Menaker, this $70K lesson suggests that a truck’s optics can matter just as much as its engineering. Sometimes, in small business, perception drives profit—or loss.
