Italian authorities investigate fire at Tesla dealership in Rome

At least 17 Tesla vehicles were destroyed in a fire at a dealership in Rome, Italy. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, and Italian authorities are currently investigating the cause.

At the moment, it is unclear whether the fire was intentional or accidental, but investigators are considering all possibilities. This comes amid a recent wave of attacks against Elon Musk's company, as activists have targeted him over his perceived role in Donald Trump’s administration.

There were no injuries in the fire, which broke out at a facility in the Roman suburb of Torrenova. Local firefighters managed to extinguish the flames before dawn, and police have recovered footage from nearby security cameras as part of their investigation.

Tesla attacks

In the United States, federal authorities have established a task force specifically focused on attacks against the U.S. auto industry. Throughout March, several incidents involving Molotov cocktails have been reported at Tesla dealerships and against Tesla vehicles parked in public spaces.

Several arrests have already been made in connection with the attacks. Meanwhile, the federal government has warned the perpetrators that they could face imprisonment in Bukele's CECOTs in El Salvador.

In Europe, attacks against Tesla have prior precedents. In 2024, mass protests in Germany targeted Tesla's European mega-production plant. During those incidents, German police clashed with around 100 protesters attempting to storm the facility.