Fire at Tesla dealership near Rome destroys 17 cars

[usonian]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/31/europe/tesla-cars-fire-rome-intl/index.html

At least 17 Tesla cars were destroyed after a fire broke out at a dealership on the outskirts of Rome on Monday morning, according to Italian fire officials. No one was at the dealership when the fire broke out and no injuries have been reported.

Rome’s fire service said it was investigating “all avenues” while looking into how the fire started, but it did not rule out arson. Local police said officers interviewed the dealership owners and are looking at surveillance footage.

The fire comes after a string of reports across Italy in recent weeks of Tesla vehicles being vandalized and defaced, with anti-Elon Musk and anti-Donald Trump sentiments written with spray paint.

Another car dealership burned down in northern Rome a week ago, destroying 30 cars, including used Teslas. That fire was initially blamed on an electrical fault, but an investigation is underway.

Don't rule out:



Just a caution, not an accusation. For a firebug, the accusations are perfect cover.

P.S. Lithium batteries can cause pollution when burned.
https://blog.upsbatterycenter.com/pollution-from-big-battery-fires-detected/
Heavy Metal Pollution From Moss Landing Big Battery Fire

[magicarpet]

1. That is one way to deplete the inventory of swasticar vehicles that nobody wants to buy.

[RandySF]

2. They better check those batteries.

[Dumpy]

3. What a waste of rare raw minerals

and environmentally sound vehicles.

Why can't people just stop buying them, like bud light?

[usonian]

4. Sales have tanked.

Things Are Bad At Tesla. They’re About To Get Much Worse. (Forbes)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2025/03/27/things-are-bad-at-tesla-theyre-about-to-get-much-worse/

If paywalled, use the archive: https://archive.ph/HTFE4

My technical objections are that
A. The quality control is $hit. Pieces just fall off.
B. Repairs are a fright for owners, as service is an afterthought, and
C. It's basically a computer with an engine and wheels. Software is never well-tested, to which the many "recalls" attest. (and it still doesn't meet its promises)

[Sky Jewels]

5. What a shame.

Anyhoo, I'm hungry. Gonna have some nice leftover pasta and a mixed greens salad with vinaigrette.