Denmark’s Largest Construction Company Returns Tesla Fleet, Citing Elon Musk’s Political Involvement

Denmark’s largest construction company, Tscherning, has returned its entire corporate fleet of Tesla vehicles, citing Elon Musk’s political involvement as the reason. The company’s decision reflects a growing trend of declining Tesla sales and brand damage in Europe, according to reports.

Corporate Fleet Return and Brand Image Concerns

Tscherning, which had previously electrified its corporate fleet with Tesla vehicles, has now returned all of them. The company shared a video on social media showing the return of the vehicles. In a statement to Electrek, Tscherning explained that the decision was not due to Tesla’s vehicles being subpar, but rather in response to Elon Musk’s political commitments and public statements, which the company believes are increasingly difficult to overlook.

Tscherning stated that it does not want to be associated with the values and political direction that currently accompany the Tesla brand. Instead, the company plans to purchase European alternatives to Tesla vehicles.

European Market Challenges for Tesla

The Electrek report highlights that Tesla’s situation in Europe is not sustainable, with potential layoffs and store closures on the horizon. Although the new Model Y was available throughout the quarter, Q2 results are similar to Q1, which saw a 40% year-over-year decline. The Q1 and Q2 2025 figures are lower than every quarter in the past three years, according to the report.

Analysts suggest that the trend of returning corporate fleets and current owners selling their vehicles may make purchasing a used Tesla more cost-effective at present. However, the company’s decision to distance itself from the Tesla brand underscores broader concerns about the company’s public image in Europe.

Tesla’s Stock Market Response

In a separate development, Tesla’s stock price has risen by 45% in one month, closing at $349.9 last week. After months of criticism over its falling stock price, Elon Musk responded to former Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz with a pointed jab. Musk celebrated the stock gain on X, sharing a screenshot of Tesla’s stock soaring to $347.70 and captioning the post with the slang term ‘Kek’—used by online users instead of ‘lol’ (laugh out loud).

Musk also pulled back an old post by Tim Walz where he had celebrated Tesla’s stock struggles at $22. He posed a sarcastic question to the Minnesota Governor, asking, ‘Yo Timmy, how’s your day bro?’ with a clown face emoji, highlighting the tension between Tesla and its critics.

Broader Implications for the EV Industry

The return of corporate fleets by Tscherning and similar actions by other companies signal a shift in corporate strategy and consumer sentiment. As Tesla continues to face challenges in Europe, the company may need to adapt its messaging and positioning to regain trust and maintain its market presence.

For now, the decision by Tscherning reflects a growing concern among businesses and consumers about the political direction of the Tesla brand and its impact on its market position in Europe.