In recent news, several German businesses have made the decision to steer clear of new Tesla vehicles due to Elon Musk’s actions and statements. This decision has been expressed by companies such as energy supplier Badenova, house construction company Viebrock, and drugstore chain Rossmann.
Swearing off Tesla:
- Badenova’s board member Hans-Martin Hellebrand criticized Elon Musk’s activities, stating that they are weakening Germany as a business location. Hellebrand mentioned in a report by Kronen Zeitung, “Elon Musk’s actions, now more or less in a government function, have made us sit up and take notice. We will not accept that.”
- Although Badenova currently uses 11 Teslas in its fleet, the board member noted that the company will no longer acquire vehicles from the EV maker once its fleet completes its lease.
- Viebrockhaus, on the other hand, had previously acknowledged Tesla for revolutionizing electric mobility in Germany. However, CEO Lars Viebrock stated that the company can no longer support Tesla, saying, “We can no longer support the path we are currently on.”
- Rossmann had already announced last summer that it would stop purchasing Teslas for its fleet. The drugstore chain cited the “incompatibility between the statements of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the values that Tesla represents with its products” as the reason for its decision.
Tesla’s silence and potential effects:
- Tesla Germany has chosen not to comment on the matter, with a company spokesperson stating, “We do not comment on this.”
- Business ethicist Michael Aßländer from the International University Institute Zittau at the Technical University of Dresden mentioned that while the companies’ boycott of Tesla may generate headlines, the impact on Tesla itself might be minimal. He noted, “Individual decisions by comparatively small companies to avoid the products of certain manufacturers in their purchasing policy in the future may make for good PR, but will have little effect.”
It remains to be seen how this decision by German businesses will affect Tesla in the long run. As the situation unfolds, Tesla’s response and any potential repercussions will be closely monitored.
If you have any news tips or insights to share, feel free to reach out to us at tips@teslarati.com. Your input is valuable to us.
