Tesla leaseholders in France are suing the automaker to terminate their leases due to Elon Musk’s association with the cars, claiming they have become “far-right totems” and have harmed their reputation.
Over the last few years, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a sharp turn to the right of the political spectrum. After buying Twitter, he brought back and promoted several far-right voices banned for various reasons, and he himself promoted far-right disproven conspiracy theories.
He financed Trump’s election to the tune of almost $300 million and pushed for several far-right parties in Europe, including the AFD in Germany.
In France, he argued that far-right politician Marine Le Pen was politically persecuted and should be freed after a court convicted her of embezzling funds earlier this year.
His involvement in politics has alienated a significant portion of Tesla’s customer base, particularly in Europe, where Tesla’s sales have plummeted.
The impact on Tesla is going beyond new buyers turning to other brands, but it also resulted in existing owners selling their vehicles to distance themselves from the brand.
We previously reported that Tesla owners have also been putting stickers on their cars to make it clear that they disapprove of Musk, and some have even removed their Tesla logos and replaced them with those of other brands.
But Tesla leaseholders face a different problem and now, they are trying to address it through the court in France.
A group of now 10 Tesla lessees is suing the automaker in France to terminate their leases because of Musk’s behaviors (via Reuters):
A small group of Tesla owners in France is suing the carmaker run by Elon Musk, alleging its vehicles have become “far-right totems” that are harming their reputation, the law firm representing the group said on Wednesday.
GKA, the law firm representing the leaseholders, commented on the case:
Tesla vehicles have become powerful political symbols and are now perceived as true far-right ‘totems,’ much to the dismay of those who purchased them solely as innovative and eco-friendly vehicles.
They are seeking to break their lease contracts and recover the legal costs from the case.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla used prices are crashing, so leaseholders should be happy that they don’t own them. That said, I can’t blame them for wanting to get out of the car as soon as possible and terminate their leases.
However, I’m not familiar enough with French law to know if they have a case here.
I don’t think there’s a precedent for a CEO of a consumer product company tarnishing the brand to the level Musk as done over such a short period.
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