Elon Musk has taken aim at protesters who have targeted Tesla dealerships and attacked Superchargers, branding them "terrorists".
Responding to a post on his social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, the billionaire said there was "no doubt" that shooting at Tesla stores and burning down Superchargers are "acts of terrorism".
The original post claimed that the left-wing had been calling attacks on Tesla showrooms "vandalism", before comparing the situation to the January 6 insurrection.
It comes as the FBI has launched a task force in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to coordinate an investigation and crack down on violent Tesla attacks.
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Elon Musk has fired back at Tesla protesters who are attacking vehicles, showrooms and chargers
REUTERS
This was confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel and Ben Williamson, Assistant Director for Public Affairs at the FBI, who described it as "domestic terrorism".
He added: "The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity toward Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice."
Yesterday, incendiary devices were found at a Tesla dealership in Austin, Texas, which prompted the Austin Police Department's bomb squad to attend the scene and locate the suspicious devices.
There have been hundreds of instances of protests around the world in recent months, as frustrated activists take aim at the brand and its founder and CEO Elon Musk.
Attacks against Tesla vehicles have taken place around the world
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Musk has caused particular ire with his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has cut funding and contracts from international aid efforts and veterans affairs.
Many have also criticised the 53-year-old for his close partnership with US President Donald Trump, as well as support for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and other right-wing groups across Europe like Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
While many of the so-called Tesla Takedown protests have been peaceful, including those across the UK, there have been instances of protesters attacking dealerships and even burning Superchargers.
In Littleton, Massachusetts, police believe an arson attack took place following a suspicious fire that saw several Tesla Superchargers engulfed in flames, while other attacks have seen Molotov cocktails used.
Littleton Fire Department indicated that the Tesla Supercharger fires could have been a deliberate attack LITTLETON FIRE DEPARTMENTEarlier this month, WBTV reported that a man who has been accused of setting Tesla chargers on fire in South Carolina also set himself ablaze when throwing "burning beer bottles".
Elon Musk and President Trump have hit back at the attacks, branding protesters as "domestic terrorists" and outlining plans to sentence Tesla vandals to 20 years in prison.
Tesla is also dealing with slumping sales across Europe, having sold fewer than 17,000 cars across the continent last month, despite selling more than 28,000 at the same time last year.
Across the EU, Great Britain and European Free Trade Association countries, Tesla's total market share has fallen to just 1.8 per cent, compared to 2.8 per cent last year.
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The new Tesla Model Y will launch in the UK later this yearTESLASimilarly, Tesla's standing in the battery electric vehicle market has plummeted from 21.6 per cent last year to just 10.3 per cent in February.
While the brand will launch its new Model Y in the coming months, many drivers are shifting away from the brand because of Musk's presence as the face of the company.
