The growing protests targeting Tesla led to significant damage at the dealership after a savage arson attack that caused 700000 euros in costs. The night between 2nd and 3rd of March saw midnight arsonists destroy twelve Teslas while placing 700,000 euros worth of damage on the facility and tearing a hole in the showroom fence in Plaisance-du-Touch near Toulouse. The French investigations proved that arson happened at approximately 4 am. Eight complete vehicle burnouts and four serious vehicle destructions were observed in the attack. The firefighters sped to the scene right in time to stop the fire from reaching additional areas thereby minimizing the destruction. Multiple ignition sources and accelerant marks indicated that someone planned this attack before setting it in motion. The fence gap at the store supports evidence that a premeditated orchestrated attack through radical protest groups exploded because they see Tesla as a capitalist symbol to attack.
Tesla, palpable tensions
Several extremist activist websites posted the details of how to vandalize Tesla properties without leaving evidence during the time before the incident. The narrative reveals another New York-based incident in which demonstrators attacked an outlet of the brand. Both the local public and automotive sector share increasing worries about the intensified violent attacks against Tesla. Strategies used in protests against Elon Musk’s company have grown increasingly aggressive since the start of vandalism crimes such as damaged windows and this indicates a process of radicalization. The ongoing investigations escalate an argument between people who view Tesla as an unethical capitalist symbol and others who advocate for Tesla’s leadership in electric mobility advancement. The incident in Toulouse has the potential to deepen the conflicting beliefs between these groups.
