March 27 (Reuters) - As the global auto world reeled

from the potential fallout of Donald Trump's new auto tariffs,

one name stood out as less affected than others -

electric-vehicle maker Tesla.

The Texas-based company's shares were the rare automotive

stock to trade in the green in U.S. action, as analysts said

Tesla's supply chain and financial performance may not be

affected by the wide-ranging levies that will affect global

shipments of both cars and car parts to the United States,

mainly due to the company's largely domestic production.

Still, that relief in the United States, where Musk has

become one of President Trump's primary advisers, tasked with

swiftly cutting federal spending, may not improve the brand's

reputation worldwide.

Tesla shares have plunged more than 40% since peaking in

mid-December as a protest movement against the EV company has

erupted in the U.S. and around the world as the Musk-led

Department of Government Efficiency has drawn heavy criticism

for going after federal workers. The stock was up about 2% on

Thursday.

The 25% tariffs are expected to disrupt the global

automotive industry, raise the cost of vehicles in the United

States, and pinch automakers' earnings. Shares of Ford,

General Motors ( GM ) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis ( STLA )

were down between 3% and 8%.

While Tesla does import some parts from around the world,

the company largely produces its vehicles in the United States.

Trump said the duties announced on Wednesday could be net

neutral or even good for Tesla, adding that his close ally Musk

did not advise him regarding auto tariffs.

Several administration officials have defended Tesla in

public comments in recent days, ranging from urging people to

buy its stock to opening investigations into vandalism at Tesla

dealerships.

Still, Musk late on Wednesday said, "To be clear, this will

affect the price of parts in Tesla cars that come from other

countries. The cost impact is not trivial."

Tesla imports lithium-ion batteries from China's

Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd and other

automotive parts from countries such as South Korea, Japan and

Mexico, according to import filing data through the end of

February provided to Reuters by ImportYeti.

Car prices could rise by $5,000 to $15,000 if a 25% tariff

on imported cars is maintained, according to Goldman Sachs.

Automakers are likely to pass on the impact of tariffs to

customers by raising prices, and that could close the price gap

between Tesla's electric vehicle and competing gas-powered cars,

analysts said.

"Tesla is a relative beneficiary given 100% U.S. production

footprint, substantial U.S. sourcing and with Model Y competing

in a midsize crossover segment where close to ~50% of vehicles

could be subject to tariffs," TD Cowen analysts said in a note.

While Trump's tariffs may benefit Tesla in the United

States, the automaker faces mounting challenges in Europe and

Canada, where political sentiment and reduced electric vehicle

incentives are eroding its competitive position.

In Britain and the European Union, Tesla is grappling with

policy headwinds and shrinking subsidies that threaten to dampen

demand and slow its growth trajectory. Canada has frozen a

rebate program for Teslas.

"If all automakers raise prices to fully pass along tariff

impacts, this would make Tesla cheaper relative to other luxury

autos," said Seth Goldstein, analyst at Morningstar.