Musk Calls for Total Reset in Fashion, Cars

Elon Musk criticized corporate fashion and car design as generic while Tesla's U.S. market share reportedly declines.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Fashion

Musk Calls for Total Reset in Fashion, Cars

Live Poll

Do you think everyday cars and clothing look more generic than they used to?

Elon Musk posted on X, replying to Grimes, that corporate fashion and cars have been generic and banal for over two decades, writing, "Time for a total reset in fashion." The remarks came as analyst Gary Black said Tesla's U.S. market share is declining.

Why it matters

Musk's comments tie aesthetic criticism of mainstream design to Tesla's competitive position, a link that analysts are weighing against the company's valuation. The debate reflects broader questions about how brand image and design influence consumer choice.

Tesla shares were up 0.79% to $402.98 in pre-market trading on Monday, November 2, 2026. The source does not provide figures for Tesla's U.S. market share or its prior-period comparison.

The players

Elon Musk

Tesla and SpaceX chief executive who frequently comments publicly on product design and company strategy through his posts on X.

Gary Black

Investment analyst known for commentary on Tesla's stock and its competitive position in the electric vehicle market.

Ross Gerber

Investor and chief executive of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management who has publicly commented on Tesla.

The details

Musk responded to a post by Grimes about the aesthetics of the 2020s and quoted his son Saxon Musk asking why everything today looks like 2015. He previously argued that competitors choose ugly designs despite similar manufacturing costs, and Ross Gerber said in August that all vehicles look the same.

August: Ross Gerber said in a Benzinga conversation that all vehicles look the same.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Musk called for an overhaul of automotive and apparel design.
Weekend before Monday, November 2, 2026: Gary Black said Tesla's U.S. market share is declining.
Monday, November 2, 2026: TSLA traded up 0.79% in pre-market trading at $402.98.

Style Shift

Musk's call for a reset extends his earlier argument that competitors choose ugly designs despite similar manufacturing costs, now applied to apparel as well as cars. The same design critique resurfaced in Ross Gerber's August remark that all vehicles look the same.

For shoppers, the debate centers on whether mainstream apparel and vehicle designs feel distinctive enough to justify their prices. The remarks may influence how buyers weigh aesthetics against cost when choosing between brands.

The takeaway

Design differentiation is becoming a visible competitive lever, as both product aesthetics and brand messaging draw scrutiny from executives and analysts alike. Shoppers comparing similar products may find that visual distinctiveness is part of what they are paying for.