Why the Elite Are Ditching Teslas — and What’s Taking Their Place

By Michael, Founder & Creative Director at TheSuperAgency.com

If you’ve been in the Hamptons lately — or pulling into valet in Palo Alto or Aspen — you’ve likely noticed something missing: Teslas. The once-futuristic flex of the tech-forward elite has been downgraded to basic. Tesla’s era as a luxury status symbol? That’s yesterday’s news.

The new electric crown jewels for those in the know? Rivians and Lucids. But make no mistake — this isn’t just about EV innovation or range. This is about identity.

At The Super Agency, we live at the intersection of high design, high performance, and high status — supercars, jet-setting, and cutting through the noise of mainstream luxury. So when a cultural shift this bold hits the auto world, we pay attention.

From Elon to... Anyone Else

Let’s be real. For the ultra-wealthy, a vehicle isn’t just a vehicle. It’s a rolling statement — and more than ever, who makes it matters. Elon Musk, once the poster child of innovation, is now a polarizing figure. His Twitter antics, political entanglements, and the sheer ubiquity of Teslas on every suburban driveway have shifted Tesla’s aura from aspirational to accessible.

Enter: Rivian and Lucid — two electric brands now quietly dominating driveways in America’s wealthiest enclaves.

And it’s not just about aesthetics or performance (though those certainly don’t hurt). For buyers who want to scream “I’m eco-conscious” while whispering “but not that kind of eco-conscious,” these brands offer a perfectly curated escape hatch from Tesla’s baggage.

The Hamptons Have Spoken

We’ve seen this kind of vibe shift before — where what you drive says as much about what you don’t drive. And in places like East Hampton, where trends are born and buried faster than a $1,200 beach cabana, Rivians are rising.

Despite starting north of $70K, Rivian’s rugged-yet-refined trucks — the R1T and R1S — have become the choice for the coastal elite who still want to tow a boat or pack in the surfboards, but aren’t trying to be seen next to a Cybertruck at the marina. In fact, Cybertrucks are now being quietly offloaded by owners who once waited years to get them.

Rivian has even doubled down with a high-end charging lounge and store out east — just the third in the world after Yosemite and Joshua Tree. Translation: they know their audience.

But Let’s Be Honest…

Rivians and Lucids aren’t perfect. They’re sexy. They’re rare. They’re... often stuck at the service center. Owners with serious money often keep backup vehicles because repair delays are real — months-long, in some cases. But when you’ve got the cash (and a G-Wagen as your “backup car”), reliability takes a back seat to optics.

What’s Really Going On

We’re witnessing a shift where luxury isn’t about speed — it’s about signals. And for the hyper-wealthy, EVs are no longer just about the planet — they’re about politics, persona, and pushing away from the mainstream.

Tesla is pivoting toward mass-market affordability and full autonomy. That’s great for middle America. But for those who fly private and summer in St. Barts, Tesla’s out.

Rivian is the new G-Wagen of the green elite.

At The Super Agency, we track these cultural shifts because they define what’s next — not just in cars, but in fashion, tech, and travel. We don’t follow luxury — we create it.