Protests against Tesla and its founder Elon Musk have now spread to the United Kingdom (UK), with thousands of protesters gathering outside Tesla's showrooms in London and Manchester on Saturday.
The protests, part of a campaign dubbed the "Tesla Takedown," challenge Musk's use of his wealth and social media influence to support U.S. President Donald Trump and far-right figures in the UK.
Holding up anti-Tesla signs, a number of protesters campaigned Friday outside a showroom of the American electric carmaker in London.
Organizers have argued that the most effective way to pressure Musk is by targeting Tesla's financial performance, following reports that its share price has fallen 45 percent since the beginning of the year.
The backlash stems in part from Musk's endorsement of Trump, which initially appeared to benefit Tesla, with its share price soaring to over 435 U.S. dollars in December following Trump's re-election bid.
However, Musk's subsequent involvement with Trump and activities at the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have alienated some of Tesla's traditional customer base.
While Tesla sales have declined in key European markets such as Germany, the UK saw a 20 percent annual increase in sales as of February. Despite this, protesters are determined to sway public opinion against the company, with more demonstrations planned in the coming weeks.
Protests against Elon Musk's Tesla spread across UK
Protests against Elon Musk's Tesla spread across UK
