Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has made Tesla a symbol of the far-right, prompting drivers of Tesla vehicles in France to file a lawsuit.
On the 11th (local time), according to the French daily Le Parisien, the law firm GKA, representing about 10 Tesla drivers, filed a petition with the Commercial Court of Paris requesting the termination of their vehicle lease agreements, stating that Musk's actions made it impossible to drive Tesla. Those who purchased vehicles in cash also requested refunds and additional compensation.
The basis for the lawsuit is a provision in French civil law which states, "The seller must guarantee the peaceful use of the goods sold to the customer." The representative noted, "Tesla was initially a 100% electric vehicle brand, reflecting a responsible and environmentally conscious identity, and buyers purchased their vehicles at higher prices to participate in the green transition, but now Tesla owners feel they have been harmed due to Musk's actions."
Musk has exhibited far-right behavior, such as making gestures reminiscent of a Nazi salute in public and openly supporting far-right political parties in Europe. For this reason, Tesla sales have declined around the world, and there have been attacks on Tesla vehicles, including arson and vandalism. The vehicles of those who filed lawsuits in France have been targeted as well, with Nazi symbols appearing on stickers.