REPORT. "Touching Elon Musk's wallet": in France too, the boycott of Tesla is organized against Elon Musk

" I bought this before Elon went crazy! " Since Elon Musk's rapprochement with Donald Trump , resistance has been organizing, especially among Tesla owners, who are visibly uncomfortable since the billionaire's political turn. For several months, we have seen stickers saying " I bought this before Elon went crazy " blooming on the back of cars on American roads. These images are shared on social networks and encourage a boycott of the brand.

American singer Sheryl Crow went further and even announced that she was parting ways with her Tesla. She posted a humorous video on Instagram on Sunday, February 16, where she is seen waving goodbye to her car, to the music of Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brigtman's " Time to say goodbye ." "My parents always told me that you are what you hang out with. There comes a time when you have to decide who you want to align yourself with. Goodbye Tesla," she wrote on the social network. She added that the money from the sale of her car will go directly to the American public radio station, NPR, "threatened by President Musk."

In France, the idea of ​​boycotting the Tesla brand is starting to gain ground. On social media, Internet users are indicating that they are finally giving up on buying a car from the brand. And stickers mocking the brand's boss, who has become the "Doge" in the Trump administration, are appearing on online sales platforms.

Loïc, for his part, is on his second Model 3. In a year, at the end of his lease, he was planning to take out a lease with a car from Elon Musk's brand, but he finally changed his mind. "I can't see myself continuing to enrich a company that has taken such a marked political turn, supporting far-right parties. This time, it deeply bothers me," explains the Breton.

"All of this made me think a lot in the end. Like the fact that our American friends are turning their backs on us quite ostentatiously. I think that made me think, more than before, about the need for a form of European patriotism. So, I'm going to try to dig into the European brands," he explains, regarding the future car he will choose.

Philippe Vernay does not drive the electric car, but launched a petition on Change.org in January - the month of Donald Trump's inauguration - entitled "Boycott Tesla", to "hit the wallet of this brave Elon" . This owner of a C5 Aircross is alarmed to see Elon Musk participate in Donald Trump's government: "As a citizen, seeing someone like Elon Musk appear in this role, it was shocking" , he explains.

"Rather than grumbling in my corner, I wanted to be active and take action. I have a bit of a grumble against this guy who wants to impose his thing and interfere in the lives of Europeans. I told myself that he had perhaps forgotten something: he is a trader who sold cars!"

Philippe Vernay, who launched a petition against Elon Musk

to franceinfo

Before concluding: "A car is also an image that we want to give of ourselves. And I said to myself that it should appeal to future Tesla buyers. Of course, it's a good car, we can think what we want about it, but, still, there is a little symbolism behind it" , says Philippe Vernay.

Boycott or not, car sales are set to drop in Europe between January 2024 and January 2025 : -75% in Spain, -63% in France and -60% in Germany, according to the Automotive Platform, an organization representing industry players in France.