Shortly before over 200 planned protests, Tesla sends an internal video to its sales employees, calling for vigilance. In the video, Vice President Troy Jones appeals to the "heart of the company" - the employees - and emphasizes that their safety and quick response in this dynamic environment are top priorities.
Background and Internal Communication
Since the beginning of February, Tesla has been increasingly confronted with vandalism and protests at its showrooms. The protests, organized worldwide under the motto "Tesla Takedown," are directed against Elon Musk and his political connections. While in cities like New York and Berlin demonstrators have already expressed their dissatisfaction, Tesla initially remained relatively unresponsive internally.
On the eve of the planned global day of action, Tesla then sent an internal video to its sales employees. In it, Troy Jones demands that all employees in the sales centers be particularly vigilant. "If you notice something that doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to speak up," said Jones. He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and protecting one's own safety in these turbulent times.
Reactions and Challenges on Site
Some sales employees reported that they had already been instructed by local branch managers not to engage in direct confrontations with protesters. Nevertheless, there is uncertainty: several employees felt unprepared for the massive demonstrations, while others reported an increase in angry customers and prank calls.
Although the general security guidelines were communicated via internal newsletters, the current protests and vandalism were not directly mentioned in regular sales meetings and conversation guides - which caused frustration among some employees.
Conclusion
Tesla is currently in a challenging environment where public protests and vandalism are strongly polarizing the brand. The internal video shows that Tesla is trying to inform and protect its employees as best as possible. Whether these measures will be sufficient in the long term to secure internal cohesion and customer relationships remains to be seen.