Tesla has been removed from the 2025 Vancouver International Auto Show in Canada. The electric vehicle manufacturer had already set up its booth and prepared to showcase the Cybertruck and the new Model Y. However, due to safety concerns raised by the organizers, Tesla was forced to withdraw just one day before the event.
Eric Nicholl, executive director of the Vancouver International Auto Show, explained that they offered Tesla multiple opportunities to withdraw voluntarily, but Tesla did not comply. As a result, Tesla was excluded due to safety concerns. He emphasized that the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff is their highest priority.
Tesla’s expulsion appears to be influenced by rising anti-Elon Musk and anti-Tesla sentiment, coupled with recent security threats. Musk’s controversial political stances have led to incidents targeting Tesla properties in the U.S. and Europe. In Massachusetts, a suspected arson attack damaged seven Superchargers, while a Tesla store in Oregon was the target of a shooting.
U.S. tariff policies affecting neighboring countries further complicate matters. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close associate of President Trump and head of the Office of Efficiency, recently stirred controversy by tweeting, “Canada is not a real country,” which soured public opinion in Canada. Some analysts suggest these political factors may have contributed to Tesla’s exclusion from the Vancouver Auto Show.
Following the decision, the Vancouver International Auto Show has removed Tesla from its list of participating brands on its website. This decision means Tesla will miss out on showcasing its products to 130,000 attendees. The ongoing controversies surrounding Tesla will likely have significant implications for the brand’s image and business operations shortly.
