RT.com
25 Apr 2025, 15:15 GMT+10
Social democrat Cansel Kiziltepe has linked a slump in the car makers sales to CEO Elon Musks far-right positions
A Berlin senator has branded Elon Musk's Tesla a "Nazi car," while commenting on the company's declining sales. Social democrat Cansel Kiziltepe attacked the electric vehicle maker in a now-deleted post on X on Wednesday.
Musk has faced criticism in the EU for his perceived right-wing political views. He was condemned in Germany for endorsing the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and in the wider EU for being a close ally of US President Donald Trump, whose policies on issues such as diversity and the Ukraine conflict do not align with those of Brussels.
Musk in turn has accused the EU of censorship, bureaucratic overreach, and economic harm, often framing the bloc's policies as stifling free speech and national autonomy.
"Who wants to drive a Nazi car? Electric car manufacturers are experiencing a sales boom - apart from Tesla," Kiziltepe, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the senator for labour, social affairs, equality, integration, diversity and anti-discrimination of the state of Berlin, wrote on X.
The post drew sharp criticism from officials in the neighboring state of Brandenburg, home to Tesla's only car factory in Europe. Brandenburg's minister-president, Dietmar Woidke, slammed it as being "completely out of place," while the state's economic minister, Daniel Keller, demanded that Kiziltepe retract her statement.
The post has since been deleted, although Kiziltepe has defended her position, stating on X on Friday that she "expressly stands" by her assessment of Musk, and linking Tesla's slump in sales to "the far-right positions" of its CEO.
In the first quarter of this year, Tesla vehicle deliveries dropped globally by 13% year-on-year, automotive revenue slumped 20% and net income plunged by 71%.
Tesla's Gigafactory near Berlin was targeted by protesters earlier this year when the word "heil" was seen projected onto its wall next to the automaker's logo, spelling the message "Heil Tesla." During a campaign ceremony marking Trump's inauguration in January, Musk made a gesture that his critics interpreted as a Nazi "Sieg Heil" salute. Musk dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
The billionaire has previously voiced his support of Germany's right-wing AfD, a rival to the ruling SPD. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Musk's backing of the AfD "disgusting." Economic Minister Robert Habeck also accused the entrepreneur of launching a "frontal attack" on democracy.
READ MORE: Germany faces third year of zero growth media
The AfD secured 20.8% of the vote in the German federal election in February, becoming the country's second-largest party. Immigration and economic discontent were cited as among the key factors behind the party's success.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Manufacturing Mirror news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Manufacturing Mirror.
More InformationHyderabad (Telangana) [India], April 24 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dr K Laxman strongly criticised businessman Robert Vadra's...
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], April 24 (ANI): Locals in Amritsar have lauded the decision of the Indian government to shut the Attari...
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 24 (ANI): The mortal remains of Dinesh Miraniya reached his residence in Raipur, Chhattisgarh...
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], April 24 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday paid his last respects to Pahalgam...
Washington [US], April 24 (ANI): After working in the 2008 romantic fantasy film, 'Twilight', actors Kellan Lutz and Cam Gigandet are...
Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 24 (ANI): Once bustling with tourists and vibrant businesses, the picturesque Pahalgam...
TOKYO, Japan: Japan had a trade deficit in the past fiscal year, but made a trade surplus with the U.S., the Finance Ministry said...
TOKYO, Japan: Toyota is weighing plans to build the next-generation RAV4 SUV in the United States, according to three people familiar...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Ford is recalling more than 148,000 vehicles across two safety campaigns, according to a notice issued by the National...
Social democrat Cansel Kiziltepe has linked a slump in the car makers sales to CEO Elon Musks far-right positions A Berlin senator...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 25 (ANI): Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Thursday even as tensions between India...
New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): A man was killed early Thursday morning near Khan Market area of New Delhi, after being hit by an...
