Tesla Cybertrucks have become symbolic. But probably not in the way Tesla CEO Elon Musk hoped.
Nearly three dozen Cybertrucks were vandalized this week in Florida with disparaging messages aimed specifically at Musk.
A 35-second viral video showing the aftermath of the vandalism spree in a Fort Lauderdale parking lot first gained traction on Instagram on Friday.
The footage — shared to the Only in Broward account — showed a fleet of Cybertrucks with the phrase “Fuck Elon” spray painted across the metallic exteriors. The man filming the video said Tesla recently leased the parking lot, and Cybertrucks began arriving three days ago.
“Looks like someone doesn’t like Elon…” the caption read.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images
Local authorities told NBC Miami that 34 vehicles had been vandalized within the parking lot, which housed Cybtertrucks and other Tesla models.
The person who called the authorities said the vehicles were in fine condition on Thursday night but were damaged by Friday morning, the outlet reported.
The vehicles were quickly cleaned or taken off the lot.
Representatives for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Tesla began delivering Cybertrucks to the general public in November 2023. Cybertrucks start at $60,990 for rear-wheel drive and increase to $79,990 for all-wheel drive. The Cyberbeast, which can reach 130 mph and tow 11,000 lbs, costs an estimated $99,990.
While Tesla Cybertrucks have received a decidedly mixed response in the United States, they have been embraced elsewhere.
The Dubai Police General Command added a Cybertruck to its fleet of patrol vehicles this month. Musk and the official Cybertruck account applauded the decision on X.
“Very cool to see — thanks for the trust!” the Cybertruck account wrote.
Tesla has faced a string of bad news in recent months. The automaker slashed 10% of its global workforce in April and laid off more workers in the weeks after. And some traders say the company’s stock is overvalued. One short-seller recently called Tesla’s stock was one of the “biggest stock market bubbles” in history.
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