French customers sue Tesla over ‘extreme-right’ symbol

A group of Tesla owners in France is suing Elon Musk’s car company, claiming the vehicles have become symbols of far-right ideology and that they are suffering direct and tangible harm as a result of the billionaire CEO’s behavior.

The plaintiffs, represented by the law firm GKA, are asking the Paris Commercial Court to terminate their lease agreements and reimburse legal fees, according to a statement signed by lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel.

"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.

The lawsuit comes amid a significant slump in Tesla sales across the European Union, which have reportedly dropped by half since the start of the year. Many observers attribute the decline to Musk’s increasingly controversial public statements and behavior.

Tesla vehicles in Europe have also been targeted in acts of vandalism, with several cars deliberately damaged or set on fire.

(QG - Source: France 24 - Picture : © Unsplash)