Fire Destroys At Least 17 Tesla Cars at Rome Dealership, Investigation Underway
A fire broke out at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome on Monday morning, destroying at least 17 cars, according to local fire officials. Thankfully, no one was at the dealership at the time, and there were no reported injuries.
Rome’s fire department has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, exploring all possible avenues, including the possibility of arson. Local police have spoken with the dealership’s owners and are reviewing surveillance footage as part of their inquiry.
This incident follows a series of reports in Italy in recent weeks where Tesla vehicles were found vandalized, with anti-Elon Musk and anti-Donald Trump messages sprayed on them.
Another Car Dealership Fire in Rome, Investigation Ongoing Amid Vandalism Spree
A week before the recent Tesla dealership fire in Rome, another car dealership in northern Rome was destroyed by fire, with 30 cars, including used Teslas, going up in flames. The cause of that fire was initially thought to be an electrical fault, but authorities are still investigating.
In addition to the fires, several Tesla vehicles in Rome’s Garbatella neighborhood—where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni grew up—were found vandalized, with police and social media posts confirming the incidents. Meloni, who has publicly described a close friendship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has not yet commented on the vandalism.
Tesla dealerships in Milan have also been targeted in recent weeks by environmental activist groups, adding to the growing list of incidents affecting the company’s presence in Italy.
Tesla Vandalism and Protests Spread in Europe and the U.S.
Reports of Tesla vandalism have emerged not only in Italy but also in France and several parts of the United States, including the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast.
In the U.S., peaceful protests have been held at various Tesla locations, with demonstrators chanting, “Elon Musk has got to go.” The protests are linked to criticism of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has been responsible for significant federal job cuts.
