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Kia’s Norway division just delivered the sickest burn of 2025, and it didn’t even need a “Boring Company” flame thrower. The ad in question? A Kia EV3 with a bumper sticker that read, “I bought this after Elon went crazy.” Subtle? No. Effective? Absolutely. The internet went wild. Kia’s corporate HQ, on the other hand, pulled the emergency brake, disowning the ad and deleting it faster than a botched Tesla FSD beta update. But the damage—or marketing brilliance—was already done.

Kia dealership throws a punch at Tesla, corporate backs away

Kia Norway posted the ad to Instagram, showing off its entry-level EV3 while taking a clear shot at Tesla. The bumper sticker played off a viral trend where disillusioned Tesla owners slap stickers on their cars saying, “I bought this before Elon went crazy.” The message? Tesla isn’t just losing buyers because of competition—it’s losing them because of Musk.

Kia’s version: I bought this (EV3) after Elon went crazy.

Musk fans were furious. Some claimed the ad was in “bad taste.” Kia’s HQ scrambled to save face, telling AFP, “The post was an entirely independent local initiative that does not reflect the position of Kia Europe or Kia Corporation.” That statement came just before the ad disappeared from Kia Norway’s social media faster than Tesla’s stock value after Elon throws up a sieg heil.

The internet reacts: ‘Kia are brutal’

The internet, of course, had other plans. The Reddit thread discussing the ad exploded, with thousands of upvotes and fiery takes. “It is a smart, funny advertisement, that is also extremely accurate,” wrote one commenter. Another added, “Sad to see the comments of Elon’s ‘fans’ defending him on the post.”

Some users thought Kia was actually being too polite. “Very polite, too polite. I sold my Tesla and bought this to spite Elon would be my message.” Another summed it up: “Kia are brutal ??.”

Not everyone was on board, though. One Musk supporter fumed, “KIAs have sht quality and reliability. H—, it would make more sense to even buy a Honda than that piece of sht.” The Tesla vs. Kia EV war has officially begun.

I’m personally a big fan of the EVs coming out of Hyundai and Kia right now. Their styling is much more unique than Tesla, and with 800-volt charging and great kWh/mile ratings, they’ve leapfrogged ahead of many vehicles still in Tesla showrooms.

Tesla’s biggest weakness might be Musk

Kia may have deleted the ad, but the internet never forgets. Tesla’s brand is under fire, Musk’s political antics are pushing customers away, and Kia just scored a viral marketing win without breaking a sweat. Whether you love or hate Musk, one thing is clear: automakers are realizing that Tesla’s biggest weakness might be its CEO. As I’ve written before, there was a Tesla before Elon Musk and there will likely be a Tesla after Musk. At this rate, it might not be long before the board votes to find out whether Tesla after Musk will fare better.

Check out the picture from the original ad below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.