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Tesla drivers in France are taking legal action against the company to terminate their vehicle leases, citing concerns over chief executive Elon Musk’s political affiliations.
A group of approximately 10 customers have filed a lawsuit alleging that Musk’s perceived “far-right” politics have negatively impacted the reputation of Tesla as a brand. This has led to increased hostility towards their vehicles, preventing them from enjoying their cars, which many had initially purchased for environmental reasons.
The lawsuit is currently in the early stages and will be reviewed by judges at Paris’s commercial court before a decision is made on whether to proceed with the case. The group of Tesla customers involved in the lawsuit is open for others to join, as confirmed by Paris law firm GKA.
Typically, Tesla leases last for around four years with an option to purchase the vehicles at the end of the contract. The lawsuit aims to terminate the leasing agreements signed with Tesla.
The legal action is based on a series of controversial political incidents involving Musk, including gestures resembling a Nazi salute and accusations against UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The customers argue that these actions have increased the risk of vandalism against their cars, raised insurance costs, and depreciated the value of their vehicles.
Lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel highlighted instances of vandalism, such as one client’s Tesla being engraved with a swastika and another client’s car being defecated on.
The lawsuit invokes civil law that requires lessors to ensure renters can “peacefully enjoy” the rented property. Some Tesla customers now feel trapped in their contracts due to Musk’s actions, according to Klugman.
Klugman commented, “It will be interesting to see someone like Mr. Musk, who is considered liberal, facing the consequences of their words on their businesses. Freedom, even for the most liberal individuals, comes with responsibility. The actions of business leaders impact their companies.”
The legal action comes amidst a significant decline in Tesla sales in Europe, attributed to buyers being deterred by Musk’s political stance. In France, Tesla sales plummeted by 67% in May compared to the previous year, with new registrations hitting their lowest point since July 2022, according to data from Plateforme Automobile.
At the time of this report, Tesla has not responded to requests for comments regarding the lawsuit.
Additional reporting by Stephen Morris in London
