Tesla to skip this year's Munich auto show

MUNICH: Tesla will not participate in this year's IAA Mobility trade fair, according to the event's organiser, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), one month ahead of the show's opening in Munich.

The VDA said on Friday it could not comment on Tesla's reasons for the decision to skip the high-profile auto show.

The company did not respond to requests for comment.

At the last IAA two years ago, Tesla unveiled the refreshed Model 3 for the first time in Germany.

Compared with other manufacturers, however, its display was relatively modest.

Tesla has seen its market share and popularity decline in Europe, particularly in Germany.

In the first seven months of this year, the company ranked only ninth for new electric vehicle registrations in Germany, having once been the market leader.

Tesla has also faced recurring protests, with the political activities of chief executive Elon Musk often in the spotlight, including his endorsement of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative of Germany ahead of this year's federal election.

In some cases, Tesla vehicles have been set on fire.

Whether these developments are linked to the company's absence from the IAA remains unclear.

The annual expo brings together car manufacturers, suppliers, tech companies and politicians.

The show is being held in Munich for the third time, following editions in 2021 and 2023.

In early July, organisers reported higher booth bookings and greater international participation for the upcoming event, including a record number of Chinese exhibitors.