French Tesla owners sue, claiming cars are now ‘extreme-right symbols' after Musk's Nazi salute
They feel they suffered 'direct and concrete' damage from the way Teslas are now associated with 'Elon Musk's actions', the GKA law firm said.
They are demanding the Paris commercial court order their lease contracts be terminated and legal costs reimbursed, it said in a statement, signed by lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel.
The lawsuit comes as Tesla sales in the European Union have almost halved since the beginning of the year, a slump attributed to Musk's political activities.
Those activities include him — until last week — standing firmly with US President Donald Trump, and overseeing efforts to cut down US departments and agencies.
He has also lent public support to Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and came under criticism for making a repeated gesture with an out-thrust arm interpreted by many historians to be a Nazi salute.
'Because of Elon Musk's actions... Tesla branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right 'totems', to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle,' GKA said in a statement.
The perception of the Teslas they leased 'prevents them from fully enjoying their car', it said.
Most of the leases run for four years, with an option at the end to buy the vehicle.
Tesla cars in Europe and elsewhere have been targeted by vandals, with some drivers reporting they have been insulted for using what is sometimes called on social media a 'swasti-car'.
Several owners have taken to putting stickers on their Teslas reading 'I bought this before Elon went crazy'.
'The situation is both unexpected and impossible for French Tesla owners,' Klugman told AFP.
'Musk's political positions have interrupted enjoyment' of the vehicles, and 'we believe that Mr Musk owes these buyers the peaceful possession of the thing sold', he said.
Contacted by AFP for comment, Tesla did not immediately respond. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Tesla struggles in Germany with 60 pct drop in June sales
BERLIN, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Tesla's sales in Germany slumped 60 percent in June compared to a year earlier, even as overall battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose, Germany's motor vehicle authority (KBA) said on Thursday. The U.S. electric vehicle maker sold 1,860 cars in June, down from 4,645 units a year earlier. For the first half of 2025, Tesla's sales in Germany dropped 58.2 percent year-on-year to 8,890 vehicles. By contrast, total BEV registrations in the country rose 8.6 percent in June, according to KBA data. The figures come as Tesla continues to lose ground to competitors across Europe. June marked the sixth consecutive month of declining sales in markets including France, Sweden, Denmark and Italy, as rivals introduce newer models and public sentiment toward Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, continues to cool. Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD posted strong gains in Germany, with sales tripling to 1,675 units in June. Year-to-date, BYD has sold 6,323 cars in the country, nearly five times more than the same period last year, the KBA said.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Putin says he will speak with Trump on the phone today
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have praised each other in recent weeks. (AP pic) MOSCOW : Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with US counterpart Donald Trump on the phone today, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks. The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation. Putin did not say what the two would discuss in today's call. 'I will talk to the US president today,' the Russian leader told media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow. Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10am. The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow's ongoing assault on Ukraine. Putin said last week that he had 'great respect' for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin's statements were 'very nice'.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Meta says will appeal ‘unlawful' EU fine
The European Commission in April concluded Meta did not provide users with a less personalised but equivalent version of the platforms. (AP pic) BRUSSELS : Facebook owner Meta said it will appeal a €200-million fine slapped on it by the EU after the bloc accused the company of breaking digital competition rules. The EU fined Meta in April over its 'pay or consent' system because of how it said the company used personal data on Facebook and Instagram. 'This decision is both incorrect and unlawful, and we are appealing it,' Meta vice president Tim Lamb said in a blog post published yesterday. The fine against Meta concerned its 'pay for privacy' system, which rights defenders have vehemently criticised in Europe after its introduction in November 2023. It means users have to pay to avoid data collection, or agree to share their data with Facebook and Instagram to keep using the platforms for free. The European Commission in April concluded Meta did not provide users with a less personalised but equivalent version of the platforms. It also warned Meta faced potential daily penalties under the landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA) unless it complied with the law within 60 days. That deadline ran out last week but the commission said on Wednesday that after receiving information from the company, it was assessing whether they are now complying. Defending its system, Meta's Lamb pointed to an EU court ruling in 2023 that he said opened the way for subscriptions as a legally valid option. 'Yet the (April) decision ignores this ruling. Instead, it claims that the (top EU court's) crucial judgment is not relevant and incorrectly concludes that Meta's user choice does not comply with the DMA. This stance is perplexing,' he wrote.
