An anarchist group in southwestern France is claiming responsibility for setting a Tesla dealership ablaze Sunday night.
The fire destroyed eight vehicles and severely damaged four others, with estimated losses exceeding €700,000—or roughly $740,000, French outlet Numerama reported. French authorities are treating the incident as arson, citing multiple ignition sources and a breached perimeter fence as key indicators of a deliberate act.
@ladepechedumidi Une concession Tesla incendiée près de Toulouse : 12 voitures détruites et au moins 700 000 euros de dégâts. Les individus se sont introduits dans le garage en découpant le grillage dans la nuit du 2 au 3 mars 2025. Une enquête a été ouverte. #sinformersurtiktok #apprendresurtiktok #Tesla #voitures #garage#faitsdivers ♬ son original - La Dépêche du Midi
An anarchist collective released a statement taking credit for the attack, branding it part of a broader movement against what they call "techno-fascism." The statement linked the attack to international protests targeting Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, claiming the fire was their contribution to a movement they said was called, "Welcome Spring, burn a Tesla."
"Today there is an acceleration of the fascist, patriarchal, ecocidal and colonialist project," the statement began. "While the elites multiply the Nazi salutes we decided to salute in our own way."
The group condemned capitalism, transphobia, white supremacy and environmental destruction, positioning their actions within an ongoing anti-capitalist struggle. The group ended the statement, saying, "Let's continue the offensive against the techno-fascists!"
This is not the first attack of its kind. Tesla dealerships and factories in the US and across Europe, including sites in Germany and France, have been targeted by activist groups.
French authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the arson. The attack highlights growing hostility towards Tesla as a symbol of corporate and technological power as its CEO, Elon Musk, exercises his growing influence in the world as head of DOGE and advisor to President Donald Trump.
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