Bit of a strange criticism. They've got to drive out in something, why not an electric vehicle? And the spacesuits are bulky and difficult to move in, so the falcon doors on that Tesla model make sense for easy egress.
Thanks for the link. I see from that article that Boeing have commissioned a new customised Airstream van to transport crew out to the Starliner. So looks like responsibility for crew transport to launch is up to the commercial provider and so again, completely sensible for SpaceX to use vehicles from its sister company, as appropriate.
There is undeniably a marketing angle, yes. But I don't necessarily see this sort of marketing as harmful. Or 'cringeworthy', harking back to your original comment. What I do see as harmful is push advertising and Tesla, rather uniquely, does not do any of that.
I thought it was awesome. I'm going to create the electric car market no-one thought possible and many companies paid to lobby to create laws to stop.... and put it into space.
