In a disturbing escalation of vandalism against Tesla, over 80 vehicles were reported damaged at a service center in Hamilton, Ontario. Police responded to reports of significant vandalism at the facility on March 19, discovering deep scratches and punctured tires on numerous cars parked outdoors.
This incident marks a troubling trend, as vandalism against Tesla vehicles has been increasing over the past few weeks, but the scale of this particular attack is unprecedented.
The Hamilton Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and urging the public for any information that could aid in solving the crime.
The situation has intensified with the pause of Canada’s EV incentive program
As they investigate, Tesla is also facing heightened scrutiny in Canada for pre-filing a substantial number of rebates—valued at $43 million—while simultaneously pausing its electric vehicle (EV) incentive program earlier this year.
This has raised questions about the legitimacy of those rebates, as some speculate that Tesla may not have delivered enough vehicles to warrant the claims.
Public perception of Tesla in Canada is deteriorating, exacerbated by concerns around Elon Musk’s leadership and connections to former President Donald Trump, who has been openly critical of Canada through trade policies.
These sentiments appear to be complicating Tesla’s sales efforts within a market that is becoming increasingly wary of American brands.
The situation has intensified with the recent pause of Canada’s EV incentive program, which has negatively impacted sales across the industry. Many analysts believe Tesla could be left with a significant inventory surplus by the end of the quarter. Advocates for change are calling for peaceful protests and boycotts as more constructive means of expressing discontent, emphasizing that vandalism is not an effective or justifiable form of protest.