French Tesla customers sue over brand becoming 'extreme right'
Around 10 French clients with leases on Teslas are suing the US carmaker, run by Elon Musk, because they consider the vehicles to be "extreme-right" symbols, the law firm representing them said on Wednesday.
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.
tsz/jum/rmb/ach
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israel to deport six more activists detained on Gaza aid boat, rights group says
Israel is deporting six more activists who were detained when it seized an aid boat bound for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, according to the rights group representing them. The six include Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament who Israel had previously barred from entering Israel and the Palestinian territories, citing her support for boycotts of the country. 🚨 Messages from Rima and other members of the Freedom Flotilla crew.#FreedomFlotilla #FreeMadleen — Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 11, 2025 They were among 12 passengers, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, aboard the Madleen, a boat that sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid. Israel seized the vessel early on Monday and deported Miss Thunberg and three others the following day. The last two activists are expected to be deported on Friday, according to Adalah, a local human rights group representing them. It said the activists were subjected to 'mistreatment, punitive measures, and aggressive treatment, and two volunteers were held for some period of time in solitary confinement'. Israeli authorities declined to comment on their treatment. Israel says it treats detainees in a lawful manner and investigates any allegations of abuse. Israel portrayed the voyage as a media spectacle, dubbing it the 'selfie yacht'. It says the blockade, which it has imposed in various forms along with Egypt since Hamas seized power in 2007, is needed to prevent the militant group from importing arms. Critics view it as a collective punishment of Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said those activists who signed deportation documents would be deported immediately, while those who refused would be brought before a judicial authority to authorise their deportation in keeping with Israeli law. The activists have protested that they had no intention of entering Israel and were brought there against their will. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the journey, said it was aimed at protesting Israel's blockade of Gaza and ongoing military campaign there, which experts say has pushed the territory to the brink of famine more than 20 months into the Israel-Hamas war.
Associated Press
42 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Prime-Time M6 Coverage Crowns Yard Force iVR Series as France's Next Big Leap in Wire-Free Lawn Care
A recent segment on M6's flagship programme 'Capital' cast the spotlight on Yard Force's new iVR robotic mower family, hailing the range as a 'game-changer... PARIS, FRANCE , FRANCE, June 12, 2025 / / -- A recent segment on M6 's flagship programme 'Capital' cast the spotlight on Yard Force's new iVR robotic mower family, hailing the range as a 'game-changer capable of shaking up a market long dominated by boundary-wire models.' The broadcast—part of an April 27 story comparing Castorama and Leroy Merlin—showed how Yard Force's camera-guided approach can deliver premium automation at consumer-friendly prices, prompting a surge of social-media views across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok within hours of airing. Why the iVR Robot Stands Apart - Virtual-Boundary Intelligence – On-board vision sensors and RTK-enhanced mapping eliminate perimeter wire installation, allowing homeowners to complete set-up in under 30 minutes - True 4-Wheel-Drive Agility – The flagship iVR16 model uses hub-motor AWD to master uneven lawns and slopes approaching 35 degrees while maintaining a consistent cut - Large-Area Capacity – An 18 cm deck and high-density lithium pack manage up to 1,600 m² per cycle, giving suburban and rural properties wire-free coverage in a single pass - Fully Connected & Bilingual – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth control, OTA firmware updates and an FR/EN companion app keep the robot future-proof and locally tailored - Quiet, Zero-Emission Operation – Battery drive and precision brushless motors mean late-evening mowing with minimal disturbance to neighbours Industry Reaction 'The M6 feature validated three years of R&D,' said Patrice Burnichon, Managing Director of SUMEC France.. 'French consumers want pro-grade traction without the nuisance of boundary cables. The iVR platform delivers exactly that, and the buzz we've seen since 'Capital' aired proves the demand is real.' Yard Force confirms the iVR robots have completed necessary testing; final commercial preparations are under way, and retail partners will be announced separately. In the meantime, the company is planning nationwide demo days so consumers can experience virtual-boundary mowing first-hand. About Yard Force Yard Force designs and manufactures intelligent outdoor-power equipment for more than 50 countries. Its French R&D hub in Metz focuses on adaptive navigation, high-efficiency batteries and recyclable materials in line with upcoming EU eco-design directives. Lin Yinlu SUMEC FRANCE Sarl email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Elon Musk controversy creates new problem for Tesla stock
Elon Musk controversy creates new problem for Tesla stock originally appeared on TheStreet. Last week, a social media post from Elon Musk caused many people to stop what they were doing and look down at their phones. Even for the Tesla () CEO, known for his controversial and bold opinions, what they saw seemed surprising. Musk had previously announced plans to cease his political spending. But only a few days later, he accused Trump of having direct ties to notorious criminal Jeffrey Epstein and alleged that without his help, the Republican president would not have won last year's election. 💵💰💰💵 Since then, Tesla has been in the spotlight, as the dispute between two of the world's most powerful men continues. While TSLA stock initially plunged on news of the argument, it has since regained some of its momentum. Even as shares slowly trend upward, though, experts speculate that short sellers may regard the Musk-Trump fallout as an opportunity to bet against the stock. Over the past few months, Musk's behavior has sparked a global backlash against Tesla's brand, causing sales to fall across the U.S. and Europe. This clear indication of consumer sentiment toward him has caused some financial experts, including Tesla shareholder and fund manager Ross Gerber, to call for him to step Musk announced that he would be stepping back from his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), TSLA stock surged, and some investors speculated that the company's troubles were over. But now his falling out with Trump has generated further uncertainty. When a prominent company starts showing signs of weakness or instability, short sellers are likely to start closing in. So far, Tesla's recent declines have been highly profitable for those willing to bet against it. The Wall Street Journal reports that as TSLA stock plunged last week, short sellers pocketed up to $4 billion, noting: 'Investors have made $7 billion betting against Tesla year-to-date, a roughly 30% return. Elon Musk's company is currently the second most shorted stock in the U.S. by total value of the position, with around $27.7 billion of shares sold short, according to S3.' Betting against an industry-leading company like Tesla will always carry some risk, regardless of how bleak its prospects may appear. But experts see a case for shorting TSLA stock, provided investors understand its volatile nature, which includes surging unexpectedly. 'I think Musk dragged Tesla into a political spectacle,' Galileo FX CEO David Materazzi tells TheStreet. 'That creates perceived instability. Short sellers don't need real damage, just the illusion of it. Volatility invites them in. When the CEO becomes the story, the stock turns into a target.' Financial education platform First Information's CEO Vince Stanzione holds a short position in TSLA. He says his reasons are 'business not personal,' however, citing the company's high valuation and questionable market share over the feud between Musk and Trump. More Tesla News: The 'anti-Tesla' gives American buyers more good news Analyst sets eye-popping Tesla stock price target Elon Musk's feud with Trump is hurting an unexpected investment 'The P/E ratio is over 100 and growth the last few years has been near zero,' he says of Tesla. 'The bulls will say you're paying for the future and Elon Musk's brilliance, and I am not disputing that Tesla could have some future hits in the pipeline, but Elon Must is very good at promising 'jam tomorrow' which never seems to materialize, or if and when it does, it's not the flavour he promised.' Stanzione also raises a concern regarding Tesla's foray into robotics, something on which Musk has hinged a lot of the company's prospects. This part of Tesla's business just became more complicated due to the abrupt departure of one of its leaders.'Unless robotaxis start showing up en masse by the end of this year, then investors will keep selling,' states Stanzione. 'I am very bullish on robotics. It's something I have been investing in for over a decade, especially in medical and military uses, however, Tesla is not the only game in town.' He names rivals such as Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics, both of which are making notable advances in the robotics field that could threaten Tesla's progress. Chief Analyst Dan Buckley also highlights the potential valuation problem, stating 'Tesla short sellers may see their edge in the long-term mismatch between its ~$1 trillion valuation and the current reality of its business – i.e., nearly all auto-based revenue – and the uncertain viability of its highly speculative emerging tech bets.' That said, Buckley advises investors considering a Tesla short to 'treat political feuds as a volatility amplifier rather than a directional signal' and highlights the importance of caution when betting against such an unpredictable Musk controversy creates new problem for Tesla stock first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
