A group of Tesla drivers is suing Musk for purported damages brought on by his actions

A tiny number of French Tesla owners are suing the Elon Musk-led company, claiming that its cars have turned into «far-right totems» that are harming the company’s image, the group’s legal firm claimed on Wednesday.

Citing «direct and concrete» harm from Musk’s public actions following his endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD party and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, the group is attempting to terminate its leases and recoup legal costs at the Paris Commercial Court.

The group started the action in response to declining Tesla sales in major European markets, such as France, Britain, Germany, and Italy. In some cases, the move was taken in protest of Musk’s political activity, and others did so because Chinese electric vehicles were cheaper.

“Tesla vehicles have become powerful political symbols and are now perceived as true far-right ‘totems,’ much to the dismay of those who bought them solely as innovative and environmentally friendly vehicles,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers said in a statement.