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It’s Friday, let’s have some fun. So, why are Tesla owners putting other car logos on their cars? Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at Tesla owners who “logo-swap”.
Karyl Holliday, who put a Kia emblem on his Tesla Cybertruck on the Tesla Cybertruck Owners Facebook page, says,
“So many people ask me if this is really a Kia. And when people ask, I say, “Yup.” I walked up on a lady looking at my truck, her phone in hand, her hand on her hip. I heard her saying, “Guuurl, Kia makes em too…” I almost fell into the bushes laughing.”
“Also, do you realize how bad you have to lie to get OEM emblems from a Kia dealership without a VIN? I can’t show my face ever again at Evans Kia.”
“So what’s the name of your CT? Mine is a Kia Tell-U-What,” he concludes.
It’s Not About Range, the Truck’s Design, or High-Tech Features
A fascinating phenomenon has emerged, one that goes beyond the usual debates over the CT’s range, charging infrastructure, or interior design. As a long-time automotive journalist for Torque News, I’ve witnessed my fair share of trends come and go, but this one stands out.
It’s not about performance or gadgetry; it’s about identity, humor, and a subtle rebellion against the very idea of a dominant brand. It’s about the growing number of Tesla owners removing the Tesla logo and replacing it with a logo from another car brand.
The Trend Is Not New, But It Continues
This continuing trend was brought to my attention in a big way by a post from a man named Karyl Holliday. Karyl, who put a Kia emblem on his Tesla Cybertruck, created a stir that perfectly encapsulates this movement. His story is priceless, a moment of pure, unadulterated automotive humor.
He recalled a woman walking up to his truck, phone in hand, and with her hand on her hip, saying, “Guuurl, Kia makes em too…” Karyl’s reaction—falling into the bushes “laughing”—is exactly the kind of genuine, unexpected joy that this trend seems to be all about. When people ask him, he says, “Yup.” This isn’t a deception; it’s a shared joke, a moment of connection through subversion.
So, why are Tesla owners putting other car logos on their cars?
The answer is far more complex than a simple gag. At its core, this trend is a powerful form of personal expression and a playful pushback against the intense brand loyalty and tribalism often associated with the Tesla community.
For years, driving a Tesla was a bold statement. It signaled an early adoption of cutting-edge technology and a commitment to a new way of thinking about mobility.
But that identity has shifted.
The cars are no longer just for the tech-savvy elite; they’re for everyone (if you can afford it). For some owners, particularly those with the highly unconventional Cybertruck, this logo swap is a way to reclaim individuality. It’s a way of saying, “I own this groundbreaking vehicle, but a single brand doesn’t define my identity.”
The Kia emblem on Karyl Holliday’s Cybertruck turns a conversation about future technology into a joke about a very accessible, and wildly different, kind of vehicle.
The anecdote Karyl shared also highlights the sheer audacity and effort involved.
As he pointed out, “Do you realize how bad you have to lie to get OEM emblems from a dealership without a VIN?” He said he can’t show his face at Evans Kia again. This part of his story, how to get an OEM emblem from a car dealership without a VIN, adds another layer of intrigue.
Now, He’s Being Deceptive
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It suggests this is not a casual act. It requires a commitment to the bit, a willingness to go to ridiculous lengths, like lying to the Kia dealer, for the punchline. This effort transforms a simple modification into a genuine, and often hilarious, quest.
Karyl’s “Kia Tell-U-What” moniker for his truck is a perfect example of this creativity, and a question he posed—”What’s yours?”—invites others to join in the fun.
From a journalistic and cultural perspective, this phenomenon touches on the cultural significance of modifying car brand logos. It’s a statement about our relationship with brands.
We’ve moved beyond a time when a brand was a sacred, untouchable entity. Today, consumers feel a sense of ownership and the freedom to remix, repurpose, and even satirize the brands they interact with.
This is not disrespect. It’s an intimate, engaged form of participation.
It’s a testament to the distinctive, almost featureless, design of the Cybertruck, which acts as a blank canvas for this kind of creative expression. The truck is so visually unique that adding an emblem from a mainstream manufacturer creates a humorous paradox, making it an ideal candidate for such a modification.
So, what is the motivation behind logo swapping on Teslas?
This community-driven activity thrives on social media, where a single post can inspire a wave of similar modifications, each with its own story and flair.
This trend offers valuable lessons for both vehicle owners and the automotive industry.
For Tesla owners, the takeaway is simple: your car is a canvas.
Customization, even in a small way, such as a logo swap, is a powerful means of making something your own. Whether it’s for a laugh, a conversation, or a personal statement, this trend is a reminder that the best part of car ownership is the freedom to express yourself. For the auto industry, this is an important signal.
Brands that are too precious about their identity risk alienating a new generation of consumers who want to interact with products in a more authentic and sometimes irreverent way. Instead of viewing this as an attack, brands could consider it a form of highly engaged feedback.
My advice?
Embrace the fun. For Tesla, this trend is an invitation to engage with their community in a new, less corporate way. Imagine an official Tesla accessory line of alternative emblems or a sponsored “best logo swap” contest. It’s a chance to show they have a sense of humor and are listening to their most passionate advocates.
For the rest of the industry, this trend proves that a strong brand identity can be both an asset and a liability. The most successful brands of the future will be those that are secure enough to laugh at themselves and flexible enough to let their consumers co-create the brand experience.
In The End
In conclusion, the act of Tesla owners removing the Tesla logo and replacing it with another car brand’s logo is not a sign of disloyalty or dissatisfaction. It is a vibrant, humorous, and culturally significant movement driven by a desire for individuality and a sense of community.
It’s a moment of levity in an industry often taken too seriously, proving that even a vehicle as technologically advanced as a Tesla can be a source of pure, human comedy.
So, with all of this in mind, what’s your take on this Tesla “logo-swapping” trend? Would you ever swap the emblem on your car, and if so, what would you put on it? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: My Tesla Cybertruck Just Drove Itself Back To the Dealer Because of the Heavy Debt I Owe, Come Back Cybertruck
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Karyl Holliday
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Source: torquenews.com
