On the night of Sunday 2 to Monday 3 March, 12 Tesla cars were deliberately set on fire in a dealership near Toulouse. The perpetrators are being sought, although the act was claimed.
[Updated 05/03/2025] Since the publication of the initial article, the fire has been claimed by the IAATA collective, for Information Anti Authoritaire Toulouse et Alentours. It explains on its website that it “set fire to vehicles inside the compound using two cans of gasoline“.
The collective also specifies that “by this act [it participates] in the call “ Welcome spring, burn a Tesla ”, in the international movement targeting Tesla from Germany to the United States via the Netherlands, and more broadly in the anarchist conflict”“. The investigation to find the perpetrators of the fire is still ongoing.
[Original article published on 04/03/2025]
Tesla in turmoil. The car manufacturer has clearly been losing momentum for several months, mainly in reaction to the behavior of Elon Musk, a supporter of re-elected US President Donald Trump. The consequences are very concrete. In addition to the steep drop in Tesla car sales in Europe, there has been an increase in acts of vandalism that has not spared France. In the United States, anti-Tesla activists have come to harassing the owners of a vehicle of the brand.
The situation is not going to get any better. In Plaisance-du-Touch in Haute-Garonne, near Toulouse, one or more people are said to have entered a car dealership at night by cutting the fence surrounding it. After setting fire to 12 Tesla cars, they fled before the arrival of the firefighters. The fire was brought under control without causing any injuries and without spreading. In total, the damage is estimated at €700,000. The investigation has been launched.
12 Tesla cars were deliberately set on fire near Toulouse
The police hope that surveillance cameras around the area will help identify suspects. For the moment, the motive remains the big unknown. All hypotheses are being considered, from a dissatisfied customer to militant action, including arson without any real motive. However, the latter is very unlikely given that Teslas were clearly targeted here. At the time of publishing this article, no one has claimed responsibility for the act.
Read also – Tesla fires executive for criticizing Elon Musk's actions
The residents of Plaisance-du-Touch seem to have nothing to fear for their health. No pollution has been observed around the site, according to statements by Philippe Guyot, the mayor of the city. However, he remains vigilant "to the health and safety of the people of Plaisance and the people who work in the activity zone". The management of Tesla France did not wish to comment on the incident.
Source: La Dépêche
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