The “Swasticar” ads were not made by Tesla. They were parody posters and related stunts circulated in February 2025 by the UK activist group Everyone Hates Elon, targeting Elon Musk’s politics, public conduct and leadership of Tesla. The campaign went viral because it looked like polished automotive advertising while Tesla was already facing falling deliveries, weak European registrations and growing reputational pressure.
The “Swasticar” ads were not made by Tesla. They were parody posters and related stunts circulated in February 2025 by the UK activist group Everyone Hates Elon, targeting Elon Musk’s politics, public conduct and leadership of Tesla. The best-known design showed a Tesla-style car alongside an image of Musk and used the lines “The Swasticar” and “Goes from 0 to 1939 in 3 Seconds.”
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The campaign went viral because it looked, at first glance, like polished automotive advertising. In reality, some posters were unauthorized material placed on or near public-transport advertising spaces. The controversy arrived as Tesla was already dealing with falling annual deliveries, a sharp drop in European registrations and growing concern about the effect of Musk’s political profile on the brand.
What the “Swasticar” advertisement means
“Swasticar” is a political pun combining “swastika” and “car.” The “1939” reference points to the beginning of the Second World War, including Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland. The ad deliberately borrows the language of performance marketing: instead of a Tesla accelerating from zero to a speed or benchmark, the fictional “Swasticar” supposedly goes “from 0 to 1939 in 3 seconds.”
#1 Best Overall
- Clear PET Protective Film: Much Better than paper backing, you will not need to worry about project damage anymore. Sooez 12" x 11FT permanent vinyl with PET backing, make sure that never ruin your designs or mat, never separating from the vinyl in the cutting process, easier weed & transfer. Effectively reduce your time and frustration!
- Clean Cut & Perfect Weed: Made of top-quality vinyl material, our adhesive vinyl roll with PET backing & smoother cutting side make sure you experience: easy to cut, weed & transfer! Even for the finest details or the smallest letters, waste no time. No bubbles no wrinkles. Compatible with other craft machines. (Test cutting is recommended)
- Great Stickiness: Strong adhesive backing & easy-to-peel liner protect the self-adhesive vinyl until ultra use. Featuring water-resistant & UV-resistant can withstand washing and rain indoors and outdoor. Hold on tightly to any smooth surface, last for up to 10 years indoor & 8 years outdoor. (Do not wash vinyl until 24 hrs after the bonding is completed)
- Widely Used & Creative Gift: Ideal for but not limited to home decor, coffee mugs, stencils, scrapbooking, signs, letters, banners, car decals, window graphics. Smooth surfaces are sure to be transferred well. Unleash your creativity! It's never too late to start a personalized DIY, ideal choice for New Year, Christmas, and anniversaries gift to your family. (Notice: Not HTV. Not suitable for fabric)
- Superior Brand Service: Insistence on top quality and versatility is our brand concept. We will continue to provide more practical and cost-effective craft vinyl now and in the future, bringing customers a more convenient life. Your satisfaction is our NO.1 priority.
That wording is not a claim about a Tesla vehicle’s performance. It is a compressed historical and political accusation aimed at Musk. The activists used the design to portray what they regarded as Musk’s increasingly close association with authoritarian and far-right politics.
Who created the campaign?
The campaign was associated with Everyone Hates Elon, a UK activist group. Its activity extended beyond one poster. The group promoted:
- “Swasticar” parody posters;
- “Don’t Buy a Swasticar” stickers;
- videos showing posters or related material being installed;
- a stunt involving a cutout of Musk at a Tesla showroom; and
- satirical vehicle air fresheners marketed under names including “Musk B-Gone.”
The group also encouraged supporters to share the designs and made a downloadable poster PDF available through a fundraising effort. Those connected stunts are important: the story was a coordinated piece of guerrilla political advertising, not simply an isolated altered image that happened to circulate online.
Where the posters appeared
Images of a prominent poster circulated after it appeared in the Bethnal Green area of East London. Other reports described similar material at stations, on trains, around bus stops and in or near showrooms.
Rank #2
- MAKES VINYL INSTALLATIONS FASTER & EASIER: Designed to simplify the vinyl application process, Rapid Tac helps reduce installation time and improve results when applying wraps, decals, or stickers to clean, smooth surfaces.
- AIDS IN BUBBLE-FREE APPLICATION: Formulated to help minimize bubbles during installation, Rapid Tac supports a clean, smooth surface so vinyl adheres evenly without imperfections.
- ALLOWS GRAPHICS TO BE RE-POSITIONED BEFORE BONDING: Prevents immediate adhesion so you can accurately adjust vinyl placement. Once squeegeed, the adhesive takes over naturally for a secure bond.
- BONDS IN AS LITTLE AS 90 SECONDS: After Rapid Tac is applied to prep the surface, the adhesive begins activating and can bond graphics in as little as 90 seconds for fast, efficient installations.
- READY TO USE 4OZ SPRAY BOTTLE: Comes pre-filled in a convenient 4oz sprayer. no mixing or assembly required. Simply spray, place, squeegee, and allow to dry. Ideal for vinyl wraps, decals, and stickers.
The familiar advertising locations were part of the message. A professionally laid-out poster in a bus shelter or station normally signals that a brand has paid for public exposure. Viewers could initially mistake the “Swasticar” design for an official Tesla campaign before noticing the altered name and historical reference.
Transport for London security correspondence later documented awareness of fake or unauthorized anti-Musk and anti-Tesla posters on its network, including material associated with a Leyton bus stop. Reports said TfL removed posters found on its property. The material should therefore be described as parody, subvertising, guerrilla advertising or unauthorized flyposting—not as a paid Tesla advertisement.
Why the “Swasticar” ads spread so quickly
The campaign was designed for both physical shock value and platform sharing. Several features made it unusually easy to understand and repost:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
| Element | Why it mattered |
|---|---|
| Recognizable Tesla branding | The altered name communicated the joke almost instantly, without a long explanation. |
| A controversial image of Musk | The poster used an edited or staged presentation of Musk in a context linked to the debate over a gesture at a January 20, 2025 Trump inauguration-related event. |
| The “0 to 1939” line | It imitated a familiar car-advertising formula while embedding a reference to the start of the Second World War. |
| Real-world placement | Bus shelters, stations and trains made the images look momentarily like legitimate commercial campaigns and provided strong photographs for social media. |
| Short-form video | Installation footage and related stunts were well suited to TikTok and Instagram, where visual political satire can be reshared with little context. |
Contemporary reporting cited more than five million TikTok views in less than 24 hours. That figure should be treated as a reported platform or outlet metric, not as an independently audited measure of the entire campaign’s reach.
Rank #3
- Clear PET Protective Film: Much Better than paper backing, you will not need to worry about project damage anymore. Sooez 12" x 11FT permanent vinyl with PET backing, make sure that never ruin your designs or mat, never separating from the vinyl in the cutting process, easier weed & transfer. Effectively reduce your time and frustration!
- Clean Cut & Perfect Weed: Made of top-quality vinyl material, our adhesive vinyl roll with PET backing & smoother cutting side make sure you experience: easy to cut, weed & transfer! Even for the finest details or the smallest letters, waste no time. No bubbles no wrinkles. Compatible with craft machines. (Test cutting is recommended)
- Great Stickiness: Strong adhesive backing & easy-to-peel liner protect the self-adhesive vinyl until ultra use. Featuring water-resistant & UV-resistant can withstand washing and rain indoors and outdoor. Hold on tightly to any smooth surface, last for up to 10 years indoor & 8 years outdoor. (Do not wash vinyl until 24 hrs after the bonding is completed)
- Widely Used & Creative Gift: Ideal for but not limited to home decor, coffee mugs, stencils, scrapbooking, signs, letters, banners, car decals, window graphics. Smooth surfaces are sure to be transferred well. Unleash your creativity! It's never too late to start a personalized DIY, ideal choice for New Year, Christmas, and anniversaries gift to your family. (Notice: Not HTV. Not suitable for fabric)
- Superior Brand Service: Insistence on top quality and versatility is our brand concept. We will continue to provide more practical and cost-effective craft vinyl now and in the future, bringing customers a more convenient life. Your satisfaction is our NO.1 priority.
The dispute over Musk’s January 20 gesture
The campaign’s imagery drew heavily on an incident at a January 20, 2025 event celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration. Musk made a gesture that many observers said resembled a Nazi or fascist salute. That interpretation became a major subject of international debate and was adopted by the activists as a symbol of what they saw as Musk’s political alignment.
The intent of the gesture remains disputed. Reporting also noted that an antisemitism monitor interpreted it differently. It is more accurate to say that the gesture was widely compared with, or interpreted by many as resembling, a Nazi or fascist salute than to state that its intent has been conclusively established.
The broader political context included Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative and his public support for Germany’s Alternative for Germany party. Those interventions intensified criticism of Tesla in Europe. They also gave the parody campaign a wider subject than one image: it attacked the relationship between Musk’s public politics and the identity of the car company he leads.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Is Tesla actually “crumbling”?
“Crumbles” is effective headline language, but it overstates what the available financial evidence proves. Tesla was under meaningful commercial and reputational pressure in early 2025; the evidence did not show that the company had collapsed, become insolvent or ceased to be a going concern.
Rank #4
- 【Car Static Cling Film】 Use this clear car static sticker to avoid stickers leaving any sticker marks on your car. This sticker uses the principle of static electricity and is directly attached to the glass surface without the use of adhesives. With this sticker, your sticker can be easily peeled off the windshield and reused without leaving a trace.
- 【No Adhesive】 The static cling window films adheres tightly to your windows without adhesive, so it doesn't leave any residue on your windows. It help you easily apply, peel and transfer car permit stickers. Allows your stickers to be repositioned, removed and moved between cars any number of times without leaving adhesive residue or losing adhesion.
- 【Transparent Material】 Car windshield stickers are made of high-quality PVC static cling window film, PVC materials are waterproof, wear-resistant, not easy to fall off, not easy to leave scratches, and can be recycled for a long time. With this electrostatic film, your windows can stay away from decorative sticker adhesives. It can withstand the various temperatures expected in an automotive environment without fear of peeling.
- 【Wide Range of Applications】 This clear car windshield sticker can be applied not only to windows, but also to any glass surface and smooth surface, such as refrigerators, mugs, notebooks and mobile phones, etc. And these car inspection stickers are widely used to display your permit, car inspection sticker, parking permits and more. You can also use it to post some meaningful photos, stickers, and certificates on room windows, picture frames, refrigerators and more. Enrich your life.
- 【Package Included】 This package contains 10 pieces of clear windshield stickers (size: 4 x 6 inches) and 1 film scraper. It can be cut as needed to meet your more needs.
What the sales data showed
- Tesla reported approximately 1.79 million vehicle deliveries in 2024, down from the prior year. The Associated Press described this as the company’s first annual delivery decline in more than a decade.
- In January 2025, Tesla registrations across the European Union, the United Kingdom and the European Free Trade Association region fell 45.2% year over year, according to Reuters’ reporting of industry data.
- The wider battery-electric market in that European grouping increased during the same comparison, making Tesla’s decline more conspicuous than a simple contraction in electric-car demand.
- Tesla’s official 2024 financial materials still reported substantial revenue, operating income, cash flow and cash reserves. Those results are inconsistent with describing the company as literally collapsed.
The more defensible description is that Tesla faced falling deliveries and a sharp European sales drop while its brand came under political and reputational pressure. Possible explanations discussed in contemporary coverage included an aging vehicle lineup, stronger competition, changing consumer preferences and backlash connected with Musk’s political activity.
None of the cited evidence establishes that the “Swasticar” campaign caused Tesla’s sales decline. The campaign appeared during a period of weakness and may have reflected or amplified brand backlash, but timing alone does not demonstrate causation.
Timeline of the “Swasticar” controversy
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 20, 2025 | Musk makes the gesture at a Trump inauguration-related celebration, prompting international debate over whether it resembled a Nazi or fascist salute. |
| January 29–30, 2025 | Tesla releases its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 results and files its 2024 Form 10-K. Full-year vehicle deliveries are down year over year. |
| February 24–27, 2025 | Images and videos of the “Swasticar” poster spread online, with reporting linking the campaign to Everyone Hates Elon. |
| Late February to early March 2025 | Related stickers and additional parody materials appear around London, alongside reports describing unauthorized posters and viral campaign footage. |
| March 6, 2025 | TfL-related security correspondence documents awareness of fake anti-Musk and anti-Tesla posters on the transport network and at a Leyton bus stop. |
What the campaign says about modern car advertising
The poster worked because it occupied an ambiguous space between advertisement, protest sign and internet meme. Its visual grammar—large logo treatment, short slogan, performance claim and placement in commercial media space—made it legible as advertising even though its purpose was oppositional.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThat tactic is commonly called subvertising: altering or imitating commercial advertising to criticize the brand, institution or ideology behind it. The strongest subvertising does not need to explain the original campaign at length. It borrows enough of the brand’s visual language that the audience recognizes the target immediately, then changes one or two elements to reverse the intended message.
Best Value
- SLIDE & STICK TECHNOLOGY FOR EASY REPOSITIONING: Tacktical allows for easy repositioning of vinyl during application. This feature lets you adjust the vinyl until it's perfectly placed. Once positioned and applied, simply remove excess fluid with a squeegee for a superior and secure bond.
- ADVANCED AIR BUBBLE REMOVAL: Tacktical facilitates the smooth removal of air bubbles and creases during the application process, ensuring a flawless and professional finish every time.
- WIDE COMPATIBILITY FOR DIVERSE APPLICATIONS: Tacktical is compatible with a variety of surfaces including window films, tints, paint protection films, vinyl graphics, signage, and decals. Perfect for a wide range of applications, from automotive wraps to home decor.
- SECURE HOLD FOR LONG-LASTING RESULTS: Once applied, Tacktical provides a secure and durable bond that ensures long-lasting results for any type of wet-apply vinyl, reducing the chances of peeling or imperfections over time.
- VOC COMPLIANT AND MADE IN THE USA: Tacktical is safe for use and environmentally friendly, complying with all VOC regulations. Made in the USA, this product guarantees reliability, and adherence to stringent safety standards. x1 spray head included.
In this case, the altered brand name, historical date and Musk image performed that reversal. Social platforms then turned physical acts of unauthorized posting into easily distributed video content.
What can and cannot be concluded
Supported by the reporting
- The “Swasticar” materials were activist-created parody, not official Tesla advertising.
- Everyone Hates Elon was associated with the posters, stickers and related London stunts.
- Some posters were placed without authorization in or around TfL-related advertising spaces.
- The campaign received substantial online attention, including a widely reported TikTok view count.
- Tesla had declining 2024 deliveries and sharply lower European registrations in January 2025.
Not established by the campaign
- That Tesla authorized, paid for or endorsed the posters.
- That Musk’s gesture had a definitively proven Nazi or fascist intent.
- That the activist campaign caused Tesla’s sales decline.
- That Tesla had literally collapsed or was financially insolvent.
- That reported social-media views represent audited unique viewers or total campaign reach.
The “Swasticar” ads were therefore best understood as a highly visible political attack on Musk and Tesla at a moment when the company was already facing weaker sales and a damaged public image—not as proof that Tesla had ceased to be a viable company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the “Swasticar” campaign an official Tesla advertisement?
No. The “Swasticar” posters were parody or subvertising materials associated with the UK activist group Everyone Hates Elon. TfL-related security correspondence described similar posters as fake or unauthorized material placed on public-transport advertising spaces.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What does “Swasticar” mean?
“Swasticar” combines “swastika” and “car.” The slogan “Goes from 0 to 1939 in 3 Seconds” refers to 1939 and the beginning of the Second World War while imitating the language of a car-performance advertisement.
Was Tesla actually crumbling in early 2025?
Tesla was facing real pressure, including approximately 1.79 million deliveries in 2024—down year over year—and a reported 45.2% year-over-year fall in registrations across the EU, UK and EFTA region in January 2025. However, its 2024 financial materials still showed substantial revenue, income, cash flow and reserves, so the evidence did not establish a literal corporate collapse.
Did Elon Musk make a Nazi salute?
The gesture at a January 20, 2025 Trump inauguration-related event was widely compared with a Nazi or fascist salute, but its intent was disputed. It should not be presented as an adjudicated fact about Musk’s intent.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: “Swasticar” was a viral, unauthorized parody campaign by Everyone Hates Elon, not a Tesla advertisement. Its impact came from combining familiar car-advertising design with a disputed political image of Musk and the “0 to 1939” historical pun. Tesla was under real sales and reputational pressure in early 2025, but “crumbling” remains rhetorical shorthand rather than evidence of corporate collapse.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
