The Vancouver International Auto Show has decided to exclude Tesla from this year’s event, citing safety risks for visitors and exhibitors.
Removal Due to Security Threats
The decision follows growing protests against the electric vehicle giant, mainly due to CEO Elon Musk’s association with U.S. President Donald Trump and ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and Canada.
The New Car Dealers Association of BC, which organizes the event, stated that Tesla was given multiple chances to withdraw before receiving an official removal notice at 1 PM PT on Tuesday.
Read more: Tesla Stock Drops Again Amid Sales Decline and Market Pressure
Show director Eric Nicholl emphasized that ensuring public safety was the key reason behind the move. “The safety of our guests, exhibitors, and staff is our top priority,” he said. “This decision allows attendees to focus on the positive aspects of the event.”
Growing Threats and Vandalism
Nicholl explained that the risk of protests and potential damage to Tesla displays had significantly increased in recent weeks. “With tensions escalating across North America, we’re witnessing a surge in threats,” he said, adding that prioritizing security was crucial.
Law enforcement in Las Vegas is currently investigating a case of arson and vandalism at a Tesla dealership, where Molotov cocktails, gunfire, and graffiti were used to damage vehicles. The attacker, dressed in black, set two cars on fire and sprayed “resist” on the building.
A similar incident occurred at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City, where a Cybertruck was set ablaze. Federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are treating both cases as part of a larger pattern of targeted vandalism against Tesla.
Tesla Faces Trade and Political Challenges
The Vancouver International Auto Show, one of North America’s most prominent car exhibitions, is held annually at the Vancouver Convention Centre and attracts over 100,000 visitors. The 2025 event is set to take place from Wednesday to Sunday.
Tesla has been entangled in political and economic tensions between the U.S. and Canada, particularly after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The automaker has also been left out of British Columbia’s electric vehicle rebate program, further complicating its market position.
In recent months, Tesla dealerships across North America have faced demonstrations, with critics opposing Musk’s political stance and the company’s perceived alignment with Trump’s policies.
Organizers Deny Political Influence
Despite speculation, Nicholl maintained that the decision to remove Tesla was strictly based on safety concerns. “Political factors played no role in this choice,” he said. “It was a difficult but necessary decision.”
Musk’s Political Ties and Public Backlash
As the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has been instrumental in implementing major civil service cuts under Trump’s administration. His leadership of X (formerly Twitter) has also drawn criticism, with many accusing him of enabling extremist and antisemitic content on the platform.
David Tindall, a sociology professor at the University of British Columbia, explained that Musk’s connection to Trump has made Tesla a primary target for protests. “With Trump seen as a threat to Canada, Musk is viewed as part of that issue,” Tindall told CBC News. “Tesla has become an easy target in a growing wave of demonstrations against the administration.”
Nicholl clarified that Tesla was the only automaker excluded from this year’s event and that no other manufacturers had been removed in the past three years.
