In a plot twist that even Elon Musk’s wildest sci-fi dreams couldn’t have predicted, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been unceremoniously kicked out of this week’s Vancouver International Auto Show.
Canada’s most buzzed-about car event decided they’d rather not roll out the red carpet for the electric vehicle giant. And no, it wasn’t because someone forgot to charge the Model S display model.
The announcement came Tuesday afternoon courtesy of Eric Nicholl, the executive director of the show, who broke the news with all the enthusiasm of a parent telling their kid there will be no dessert tonight.
The reason? A primary concern for the safety of workers, attendees, and exhibitors. Apparently, having Tesla at an auto show is like inviting a bull into a china shop—if the bull happens to come with politically charged protests and enough controversy to power its own Supercharger network.
Now, let’s back up a bit here. This wasn’t some snap decision made on a whim after someone tripped over a charging cable. No, according to Nicholl, Tesla was given multiple chances to voluntarily withdraw from the event.
You can almost imagine the exchange:
Event Organizer: “Hey, maybe sit this one out?”
Tesla Rep: “But we’re innovators!”
Event Organizer: “Yes, but your fans bring flamethrowers.”
Okay, fine, maybe nobody brought actual flamethrowers—but metaphorically speaking, things were getting heated.
Nicholl admitted the call wasn’t easy, citing “recent escalating events throughout North America.” Translation: It’s been a wild ride lately when it comes to anything related to Tesla or its CEO, Elon Musk.
Speaking of which, Musk himself isn’t exactly helping matters. Over the weekend, protestors in both Vancouver and Ottawa took to the streets—not to marvel at Cybertruck designs, but to denounce Musk’s advisory role to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Because nothing says “car enthusiast” like chanting slogans outside a convention center while holding signs about trade wars and political affiliations.
And if you thought that was spicy, wait until you hear what happened last week. British Columbia Hydro—the utility company powering much of Western Canada—decided to ban Tesla products from its EV rebate program.
Why? Well, apparently, the provincial government wants to prioritize Canadian goods amidst the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade spat. Ouch. Talk about cold shoulders—and not just because Canada is literally freezing half the year.
So where does this leave Tesla? In true rollercoaster fashion, the company’s stock performance paints a picture as dramatic as Musk’s X feed.
Year-to-date, TSLA shares have plummeted 44%, making investors feel like they’ve been strapped into a Model X going downhill without brakes.
But hey, silver linings exist—even if they’re buried under layers of chaos. Over the past 12 months, Tesla’s stock is still up by about 30%. So… progress?
At the end of the day, Tesla’s absence from the Vancouver Auto Show feels less like a snub and more like a plot point in a sitcom episode titled “When Electric Cars Go Rogue.” Was it really about safety concerns, or did organizers just want to avoid turning the showroom floor into a live-action version of Reddit arguments?
Either way, one thing’s for sure: If Tesla ever decides to make a self-driving popcorn machine, we’re buying stock immediately. After all, drama this good deserves snacks.
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