- Rossmann's Tesla boycott: how dm and other companies react
Rossmann Drugstore Chain Publicly Announces No More Tesla Vehicles for Its Fleet
On Tuesday, drugstore chain Rossmann publicly announced its decision not to acquire any more vehicles from Tesla for its corporate fleet. Rossmann is not the first company to turn away from Tesla and likely won't be the last.
Investigations by Capital reveal that other German companies have already distanced themselves from the U.S. manufacturer.
dm Also Unenthusiastic About Tesla
dm, a direct competitor of Rossmann, told Capital that they had recently tested three Teslas in their fleet. However, Martin Dallmeier, a member of dm's management board, stated that they had already decided not to add any more Tesla vehicles to their fleet, regardless of recent reports. The company did not comment on whether Elon Musk's actions played a role in their decision.
Organic supermarket brand Alnatura also has no plans to acquire Tesla vehicles and currently has none in its fleet. Outdoor retailer Vaude, based on Lake Constance, already has most of its electric vehicle fleet from other brands than Tesla. Vaude told Capital that they have decided against Tesla for their next order in April 2024. "We continually evaluate our partnerships along the supply chain and will continue to scrutinize Tesla," the company wrote.
According to the Center Automotive Research, there are around 170,000 Teslas registered in Germany, with about a third registered to businesses, but these are mostly small businesses rather than corporations. This is likely due to Tesla's unfavorable conditions for corporate customers.
Software giant SAP cited Tesla's unstable pricing as the reason for its decision to phase out Tesla vehicles in February and has not changed its stance, a spokesperson told Capital. "The selection of the brand portfolio in the SAP fleet is a strategic business decision," the company said. "We have a diverse and attractive portfolio of manufacturers and models that we continuously review and adjust." In Germany, Tesla was not part of the offering, and worldwide, Tesla made up less than two percent of the fleet, which consists of nearly 30,000 vehicles.
Environmental Banks Critically View X
Other German corporations that strive for a sustainable image are more cautious with specific details. Deutsche Bank and Siemens declined to comment on individual manufacturers when asked by Capital. Siemens only mentioned that it offers several vehicle manufacturers in its corporate fleet.
The Umweltbank does not have its own fleet but noted that it is no longer active on the X platform due to concerns about its developments. The GLS Bank also left the platform last year, citing incompatibility with its social-ecological values.
In 2023, the GLS Bank further stated that Elon Musk's statements and the network's violations regarding freedom of speech and populism were problematic. "Misinformation, anti-human and anti-democratic content, defamation, and distortion of facts have found a place here that we cannot accept," said Rouven Kasten of the GLS Bank.
Capital learned that out of a total of 15 electric vehicles in the GLS Bank's fleet, one is a Tesla. A spokesperson said they evaluate the Tesla based on quality, efficiency, and sustainability aspects. There are currently no plans for new acquisitions.
In light of the concerns raised by environmental banks, other corporations seeking a sustainable image are also assessing their partnerships with Tesla more carefully. Several companies, including dm and Vaude, have made the decision to not add more Tesla vehicles to their fleets.
Reports suggest that other German companies, similar to Rossmann, have also distanced themselves from Tesla, citing unfavorable conditions for corporate customers as one of the reasons.
