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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Buying a Tesla has been a years-long goal for John Serrao. He was able to make it happen in December.
“They’ve come way down in price. I was like, I just got to do it someday,” Serrao said. “So my wife encouraged me, and they had a great deal.”
Up until last month, he said it’s been smooth sailing.
“Things kind of got weird in February,” Serrao said. “I’ve seen some pretty weird reactions. So wasn’t expecting that as part of owning a vehicle.”
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Austin Tesla Driver John Serrao said he’s been wanting to get a Tesla for the last five years. (Photo: KXAN) -
Austin Tesla Driver John Serrao said he’s been wanting to get a Tesla for the last five years. (Photo: KXAN) -
Austin Tesla Driver John Serrao said he’s been wanting to get a Tesla for the last five years. (Photo: KXAN)
He can think of at least five times where he’s received negativity from strangers for owning a Tesla.
“I took my kids out to Reimers Ranch, the River Park on the Pedernales, and this woman was just shouting profanity at me and my wife and my family when we were leaving,” Serrao said.
In the past few weeks, there’s been multiple instances of vandalism aimed at Tesla showrooms and cars nationwide.
“You worry somebody’s gonna do something crazy. Hit your car, break a window, and, you know, hopefully not worse.”
John Serrao, Local Tesla owner
These incidents even deterred Serrao’s wife from driving the car.
“She’s like, ‘I’m not going around in that right now,'” Serrao said. “So it’s back to the Mazda.”
Still, Serrao said he plans to continue driving the car and try to not let this get in the way of enjoying something he’s wanted for a while.
“I’ll just be driving around like a normal human being, and hopefully other people can respect that,” Serrao said.
Austin Police bomb squad
Devices that were deemed “incendiary” by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on Monday morning, police said.
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Devices that were deemed “incendiary” by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) -
Devices that were deemed “incendiary” by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) -
Devices that were deemed “incendiary” by Austin Police were found at the northwest Austin Tesla showroom on March 24, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
Police safely removed them before any damage. There have been no arrests so far.
This follows back-to-back weekends of protests locally as well. The FBI issued a public alert to remain vigilant and look out for suspicious activity in areas with Tesla showrooms, dealerships or Tesla-related entities.
On Monday, the federal agency launched a task force dedicated to investing the attacks.