- Over 80 Tesla vehicles were damaged at a Hamilton, Ontario dealership in a vandalism spree.
- Police are reviewing CCTV footage and requesting public help in identifying the perpetrator(s).
- Tesla was removed from the Vancouver Auto Show over concerns of security and protests.
Tesla’s ongoing battle with vandalism and protests seems to be showing no signs of letting up, and if anything, it’s only getting worse. In what’s possibly one of the largest attacks we’ve heard of so far, at least in terms of the sheer number of vehicles affected, over 80 Tesla cars were damaged at a dealership in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday.
Police responded to the scene after receiving reports of vandalism at the Tesla dealership. Upon arrival, officers discovered that over 80 Tesla vehicles parked outdoors had been damaged, including deep scratches, punctured tires, and possibly other forms of destruction.
More: Tesla Under Siege As Multiple EVs Set On Fire And Vandalized Across The US In One Day
“Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and are asking the public for assistance in solving this crime,” said Hamilton Police in a statement.
This attack is just the latest in a series of incidents that have put Tesla in the crosshairs. Just days earlier, a suspicious fire at a parking lot in London, Ontario, left a 2025 Tesla Model S in flames, according to CBC. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but police estimate the damage at around $140,000.
Tesla Booted From The Vancouver Auto Show
In another blow to the brand in Canada, organizers of the Vancouver Auto Show booted Tesla from the lineup earlier this week, citing security concerns. With the event kicking off today, the organizers feared that Tesla’s presence would attract angry protests and further vandalism. VIAS said it gave the company multiple chances to withdraw voluntarily, but Tesla refused. “The Vancouver Auto Show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff,” the show’s organizers said in a statement.
A Global Problem
These incidents are hardly isolated, with attacks against Tesla vehicles and dealerships popping up worldwide—though the US has certainly seen a disproportionate share. In fact, there’s been a troubling surge in vandalism targeting both private Tesla cars and the company’s locations, including dealerships and Supercharger stations, over the past few weeks.
The intensity of the attacks seems to have spiked since former U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The department’s aggressive cuts to government spending, which led to widespread layoffs, have likely stoked rising tensions. Musk’s often controversial tweets on his X platform, which continue to stir the pot, certainly haven’t helped calm the situation either.
In Canada, however, the situation is more complex. The Trump administration’s increasingly combative rhetoric, including threats of tariffs and calls for annexation, has strained relations between the neighboring countries. Elon Musk, though not an elected official, has become a lightning rod for much of the criticism due to his prominent role in the administration. And with Tesla being his most visible and accessible venture, much of that frustration is being channeled directly toward the company and its products.
