Tesla owners in France are taking legal action against the electric car giant, demanding the cancellation of their vehicle leases. Their argument? Elon Musk’s increasingly political and inflammatory behaviour has “tarnished” the Tesla brand and turned the cars into symbols of far-right ideology.
Around 10 French Tesla customers filed the lawsuit in Paris, stating they no longer feel safe or proud driving their Teslas. Many say they bought the cars for environmental reasons, but Musk’s controversial political actions have drawn hostility toward them. Some owners claim they’ve suffered direct vandalism, including cars scratched with swastikas and even human waste being smeared on vehicles.
The lawsuit, brought before Paris’s commercial court, is the first of its kind. Plaintiffs argue that Tesla has failed to fulfil its obligation to allow lessees to “peacefully enjoy” their leased vehicles, as required under French civil law. Most Tesla leases run for four years, with a purchase option at the end, but these customers now want out — without penalty.
The legal filing cites several incidents involving Musk, including what appeared to be a Nazi-style salute following Donald Trump’s inauguration in January and a widely condemned post accusing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being “complicit in rape”—a ”reference to Starmer’s former role as the UK’s director of public prosecutions.
Lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel, representing the Tesla drivers, argue the brand is being dragged through the mud. “Some of our clients are prisoners of their contracts. Freedom, even for liberal leaders like Mr Musk, must come with responsibility,” Klugman said. “Business leaders cannot separate their public behaviour from the companies they represent.”
The case could set a powerful legal precedent on corporate accountability, branding, and how CEOs’ personal actions affect consumer experience. With lease termination and possible compensation on the line, this lawsuit may mark a turning point in how brand loyalty is tested in the age of politicised leadership.
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