Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant protest against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, highlighting internal dissent among employees regarding the company's leadership and performance, particularly in light of declining sales figures and Musk's controversial public persona [2][11][18]. Group 1: Protest and Public Image - A symbolic protest occurred in London on May 7, 2025, where a 98-year-old veteran drove a WWII tank over a Tesla Model 3, representing a critique of Musk's support for far-right politics [2][4]. - The protest was organized by a political group called "Led By Donkeys," which has previously targeted Musk and Tesla's brand image through various actions [4][6]. - The Model 3 used in the protest had a license plate reading "FASCISM," emphasizing the political critique against Musk [6][8]. Group 2: Internal Dissent and Employee Concerns - A group of current and former Tesla employees publicly called for Musk to resign as CEO, citing a lack of trust in his leadership and attributing the company's sales decline to his actions [11][12][18]. - The employees' open letter highlighted a significant inventory issue, with thousands of new Model Y vehicles unsold, indicating a demand problem [14][16]. - Tesla's sales figures showed a decline, with global deliveries dropping from approximately 1.81 million in 2023 to about 1.79 million in 2024, marking the first decline in years [21][23]. Group 3: Sales Performance and Market Context - In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla delivered approximately 336,700 vehicles, significantly below analyst expectations and marking the lowest quarterly sales since 2022 [21][23]. - While the overall electric vehicle market grew, Tesla's sales in the U.S. fell by 9%, contrasting with a 10% increase in overall EV sales [21][23]. - The letter from employees pointed out that Tesla's sales decline occurred despite a 29% increase in global electric vehicle sales during the same period [23][24]. Group 4: Consequences for Dissenting Employees - Matthew LaBrot, a key figure behind the protest and open letter, was quickly fired from Tesla after his actions, which he claims were due to his criticism of Musk [24][26]. - Reports indicate that Tesla has a pattern of suppressing dissenting voices within the company, raising concerns about its corporate culture [28].