On the eve of the opening of the Vancouver International Auto Show, organizers announced Tuesday that Tesla was “removed” as a participant in the largest auto show in Western Canada.
In a written statement and in a press conference outside the doors of the Vancouver Convention Centre on Tuesday afternoon, the show organizers cited safety concerns, based on escalating protests against Tesla and CEO Elon Musk that risked disrupting the show for attendees, staff, and other OEM exhibitors.
“The decision will ensure all attendees can be solely focused on enjoying the many positive elements of the event,” said Eric Nicholl, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Auto show. “There will be no corporate Tesla presence at the show,” he said in a press event with reporters.
The news generated national and international headlines: “Tesla booted from Vancouver Auto Show, forced to remove display amid protests” and “Vancouver International Auto Show removes Tesla, citing safety concerns at event.”
British Columbia has been the scene for recent “Tesla Takedown” protest events. The Vancouver Sun reported that Tesla Takedown protests took place in Surrey, B.C, over the weekend, and other protests have taken place in Vancouver organized by the advocacy group Vancouver Against Facism.
The Vancouver Sun reported Tuesday that Tesla’s inclusion in the show had “drawn the ire of some British Columbians due to Musk’s questioning of Canadian sovereignty and his prominent role as an advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump.”
Nicholl said Tesla had been given multiple opportunities to voluntarily withdraw, but had been unwilling to do so. Nicholl said the discussions had been going on for some time, but as the protests and incidents involving Tesla were starting to escalate across the province and across Canada, organizers decided it was best that they not participate.
Nicholl said they had conversations with Tesla throughout the day Tuesday, and the organizers understood the logistical challenges that the late decision to oust them created for the OEM. The company had already set up their booth and had to remove it before the show opened. He said he couldn’t speak for how Tesla was feeling about the decision, but did tell reporters that they were “obviously disappointed.”
In questions from reporters, Nicholl said the decision was based on safety concerns and wasn’t intended as a political statement. “The political position of this has absolutely no bearing on the final decision. This is purely to make safety a priority for our guests and attendees,” he said, adding there were no specific threats directed towards the event, Tesla, or attendees.
Nicholl said he’s been running events for 20 years: “Sometimes you have to listen to your gut,” he said. “If we see elements that are going on in the public, what level of risk does that pose to our team? My job is to make sure we provide the best and safest event possible.”
The move comes at a time when the provincial government has taken direct moves against supporting Tesla, and they’ve linked those actions to the current trade and tariff war with the United States.
Earlier this month, B.C. Hydro excluded Tesla products from its EV charger rebate program. B.C. Premier David Eby told CBC that the change was a direct response to politics and tariffs. “It’s just for Tesla and it’s because of Elon Musk,” Eby said, referring to the company’s CEO, according to a CBC report.
In an interview with Canadian auto dealer, Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers of British Columbia (NCDA), reiterated the safety concerns. “We want to make sure the auto show is safe for everybody,” he said.
Although they don’t have franchised dealerships, Qualey said Tesla, and other EV makers like Rivian and VinFast, were admitted to the NCDA with “observer status,” which allowed them to participate in the province’s rebate program for electric vehicles. Now Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for the current rebate program based on the price of their vehicles. It remains to be seen whether they will continue to be members.
Here is the official statement from the show:
“The Vancouver International Auto Show has removed Tesla as a participant in this week’s event, after the automaker was provided multiple opportunities to voluntarily withdraw. The Vancouver Auto Show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff. This decision will ensure all attendees can be solely focused on enjoying the many positive elements of the event.”
