The Italian Ministry of the Interior has increased security at Tesla dealerships after 17 electric vehicles produced by Elon Musk’s company were destroyed in a fire in Rome.
The anti-terrorism unit of the Italian State Police, Digos, is investigating whether the fire at the Tesla dealership in Torre Angela, a suburb to the east of the capital, was deliberately set by anarchists.
Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the flames in the early hours of Monday. Drone images showed a row of burned-out vehicles in a parking area of the dealership. Using his social media platform, X, Musk called it “terrorism.”
Tesla has 13 dealerships in Italy, all managed by the parent company, with most located in Rome but also in other cities including Florence and Milan.
A source from the Ministry of the Interior stated that the circular aimed to “raise awareness” among potential protesters against Tesla amid a global wave of vandalism in response to Musk’s political activities in the U.S. If necessary, surveillance of the dealerships will be increased.
Musk has close ties with leaders of European far-right parties, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who described him as “a brilliant man” in an interview earlier in January.
Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, a member of Meloni’s governing coalition, expressed solidarity with Musk following the incident in Rome.
“Unjustified hatred against Tesla’s car company,” Salvini wrote on X. “The season of hatred and conflict must end as soon as possible. My solidarity goes out to Elon Musk and all workers who have been threatened and attacked.”
