The new Tesla showroom and service center’s opening on Los Gatos Boulevard has been clouded by controversy surrounding Elon Musk—a former advisor to President Donald Trump.
The property, formerly the site of the old Moore GMC showroom, was purchased by Sand Hill Property Company for $26.5 million. Plans also feature a Whole Foods market. Although Tesla is up and running, the grocery store will not be opening its doors until later this year.
According to Tesla’s webpage, the new site includes a service, delivery and collision center. Additionally, EV charging stations are also present around the dealership.
Los Gatos provides an ideal location for a new opening, says Councilmember Maria Ristow, who noted the importance of greenlighting development projects that will draw business to the town.
Despite the demand, shortly following the opening, some residents began #TeslaTakedown protests every Saturday morning to oppose Musk’s actions in Washington, D.C., with DOGE. Protests have expanded to weekdays as well, with a group of around 10 people protesting into the evening this past Wednesday.
“People here aren’t against electric cars,” said J.P. Chand, “Musk took yours and my tax dollars for rebates and used that money to buy a president.”
Chand is a San Jose resident who has frequented Tesla-related protests across the South Bay. Groups have also been organizing at other locations, such as dealerships and showrooms in Sunnyvale, San Jose and Santa Clara.
Supporters of the demonstration’s cause honked their horns in approval during Chand’s interview with the Los Gatan.
“A lot of people buy these cars not realizing that they are financing the destruction of the American way of life,” Chand said.
Although the two publicly traded blows on social media, Musk headed the de facto Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump earlier this year. DOGE was responsible for the proposed firing of over 100,000 government employees.
“People need to be aware of how we effectively have an oligarchy,” said Bob Somers. “Elon Musk has to be held accountable for the mess he has made.”
Somers was packing up an inflatable tube man with ‘Elon Sucks’ written down the side as he spoke to the Los Gatan.
Although police were present at the site of the protest and within the dealership, Somers commented that they have not posed any issues during the demonstrations.
Police have reported a series of vandalism incidents seemingly occurring as a response to the new opening. On July 2 and 15, the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Media Bulletin reported two incidents tied to the dealership. Both involved subjects spray painting the property out of protest.
Despite the ardent opposition to the opening from some community members, others have welcomed the new location. Some users of NextDoor have proposed counterprotests in support of Tesla—citing increased jobs and tax revenue as reasons for public backing.
Representatives from Tesla did not comment on the dealership opening as of press time.
