Poland is calling for a boycott of Tesla vehicles in the country after recent comments made by CEO Elon Musk at a rally for the German far-right Alternative for Germany party. The boycott call comes as Poland recognizes the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
What Happened
Musk made a surprise virtual appearance at the Alternative for Germany rally, continuing his support for the party ahead of Germany’s election. During his appearance, Musk downplayed the importance of moving on from Germany’s past, potentially referencing the Nazi party and World War II. He stated, “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents.” Musk also mentioned that there is a “too much focus on past guilt.”
Reaction from Poland
The billionaire’s comments upset Polish Sports and Tourism Minister Slawomir Nitras, who serves under the ruling Civic Platform party. Nitras said, “Maybe Mr. Musk with his billions doesn’t feel threatened. But every normal person living in the center of Europe, who remembers what happened eighty years ago, cannot look on indifferently.” He added, “All I can say is that probably no normal Pole should buy a Tesla anymore.”
Impact on Tesla
Tesla is the most popular electric vehicle company in Poland, with 4,460 units sold in 2024. The company has five showrooms and 15 Tesla Supercharger locations in the country. However, the call to ban Tesla vehicles in Poland comes as recent reports show Musk’s deeper push into politics in recent years could be hurting the electric vehicle company. Tesla fell to 36th place, down from 18th place, in the 2025 global brand rankings, with a brand value of $43 billion, down 26% from $58.27 billion in 2024.
Brand Value and Customer Loyalty
The annual report showed that Tesla’s scores in categories such as “reputation,” “recommendation,” and “consideration” all fell from the prior year. Some angry Tesla customers who don’t agree with Musk’s political push are buying bumper stickers with phrases such as “I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy.” A survey of Tesla owners in the Netherlands showed around one-third were considering selling their car, with Musk one of the main reasons. One Tesla owner said, “If I had known what he is like now, I would have never bought a Tesla.”
Conclusion
The boycott call in Poland is a significant development for Tesla, and it remains to be seen how the company will respond to the backlash. With Musk’s continued involvement in politics, Tesla’s brand value and customer loyalty may continue to be affected.