The Vancouver International Auto Show made international headlines after banning Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) from the event on safety grounds, citing concerns for workers, attendees, and exhibitors. Despite calls for a boycott by Elon Musk supporters, the event shattered attendance records, drawing over 138,000 visitors—the largest turnout in the show’s history.
🚦 Record-Breaking Attendance
According to event organizers, the five-day exhibition at the Vancouver Convention Centre saw an unprecedented surge in visitors:
- 42,000 attendees on Saturday alone, breaking the one-day attendance record.
- The overall attendance topped 138,000, surpassing previous records and cementing the 2025 show as the most successful in its history.
⚠️ Tesla Ban Sparks Controversy
The decision to exclude Tesla stemmed from mounting safety concerns.
- Eric Nicholl, the show’s executive director, confirmed that Tesla’s removal was meant to protect workers and visitors, though he did not elaborate on the specific risks.
- The ban sparked outrage from Tesla fans and Elon Musk supporters, who launched a #BoycottVancouverAutoShow campaign on social media, calling for mass protest.
🔥 Political Fallout and Protests
The ban came amid a wave of protests and vandalism at Tesla dealerships across Canada, with demonstrators objecting to Musk’s growing role in the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.
- Musk’s political affiliations have increasingly divided public opinion, turning Tesla into a political lightning rod.
- Despite the backlash, the Vancouver Auto Show drew even larger crowds, signaling that the boycott had little to no impact on the event’s popularity.
🚗 What This Means for Tesla
While Tesla’s absence was notable, the record turnout suggests that consumer interest in EVs and auto innovation remains strong, regardless of Musk’s controversies.
- The event highlighted Tesla’s growing polarization in the public eye—while still a dominant EV player, the brand is increasingly viewed through a political lens, which could weigh on its future public reception.
💡 Key Takeaway
The Vancouver Auto Show’s record attendance defied the Tesla boycott, underscoring the strong public interest in automotive innovation. However, Tesla’s exclusion reflects its increasingly controversial image, raising questions about brand perception as Musk’s political ties deepen.
