Disgruntled Tesla Owners in France Plan Legal Action Against Leasing Agreements
Spotlight on Tesla: The brand has been making waves, with CEO Elon Musk's controversial political moves grabbing headlines left and right. This has left plenty of Tesla drivers feeling uneasy, with some even contemplating ditching their rides.
- In France, a group of disgruntled Tesla drivers are asserting their intent to break their lease agreements, citing the brand's newfound "far-right" image as the primary reason. This claim was outlined in an article by "Der Spiegel."
- The lawyers involved in this matter made it clear on Wednesday, in Paris, that Tesla's vehicles have since become potent political symbols, now embodying the flagship of the far-right due to Musk's actions.
- With Musk's political antics, it seems his customers' interest in their vehicles has started to wane. Tesla's sales have suffered a notable slump in Europe recently.
- These drivers have taken their grievances to the Paris Commercial Court, demanding the dissolution of their lease agreements.
- Musk's backing of far-right figures has stirred up quite a storm in Germany as well. He urged voting for the AFD in the last federal election, a decision that has drawn harsh criticism.
Although no specific legal actions have been reported by Tesla drivers in light of Musk's political involvements, the protests and boycotts have targeted Tesla with the intention of affecting Musk's financial situation. Despite this, Tesla's European sales saw a staggering 49% slump in April 2025 compared to the same period the prior year, while the European battery-electric vehicle market experienced a 28% growth[1][4]. This drastic decline in sales can largely be attributed to Musk's political entanglements, particularly his role in the U.S. Trump administration, resulting in a wave of protests and consumer backlash throughout Europe[1][2].
Musk's political activities have also attracted criticism for his distractions from Tesla's core mission. Experts believe these distractions have contributed to significant brand damage[2]. However, there are no reported instances of Tesla drivers taking legal action against the company due to Musk's political activities. Musk's involvement in politics has led to broader reputational challenges and operational setbacks for Tesla[2][4].
- In the realm of general news, the political moves of Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, have extended beyond the industry and finance sectors, causing controversy and garnering attention in the realms of technology and politics.
- The slump in Tesla's European sales, as a result of Musk's political entanglements, seems to suggest a potential boycott or protest against him, aimed at affecting his financial position rather than the brand itself.
- The discord between Tesla drivers and the company stemming from Musk's political activities has not only led to operational setbacks but also dented the reputation of Tesla, as perceived by experts in the industry.
