Rossmann boycotts Tesla
August 13, 2024
Rossmann halts Tesla purchases, insisting corporate leaders must align personal actions with sustainability-driven business values.
Rossmann, Germany’s prominent toiletries, beauty and cleaning products chain, has taken a decisive step in aligning its business operations with its core values by announcing it will cease purchasing Tesla vehicles for its fleet. The decision, rooted in a growing belief that corporate leaders must embody the ethos their companies promote, highlights a critical shift in how businesses are expected to integrate sustainability into their decision-making processes.
Raoul Rossmann explained that Rossmann’s move stems from a dissonance between Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s public political positions and the environmental mission Tesla claims to support. Specifically, Musk’s outspoken endorsement of former U.S. President Donald Trump—who has infamously dismissed climate change as a “hoax”—has raised concerns within Rossmann about the sincerity of Tesla’s commitment to combating climate change.
“Corporate sustainability isn’t just about the products you make; it’s about the values you live by,” Rossmann stated. “When a CEO publicly supports figures who undermine the fight against climate change, it sends a conflicting message that we cannot overlook. For Rossmann, sustainability is not just a buzzword—it is a guiding principle. This principle extends beyond the products we sell and into the partnerships we cultivate.”
Rossmann currently has a fleet of about 800 Tesla vehicles and buys 180 Tesla cars a year, according to Bloomberg. Their decision to stop acquiring Tesla vehicles underscores a broader expectation that companies today are increasingly held accountable for their environmental footprint and aligning their leadership’s actions with their stated values. The company will continue to use the Tesla vehicles currently in its fleet but is actively seeking alternative suppliers who better reflect its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Our take on this: If you look at the office imaging and supplies markets, many websites talk the talk about sustainability but need to walk the walk and quietly continue to fly under the radar. This move by Rossmann is indicative of a broader trend where businesses are scrutinised for consistency between their brand messaging and the personal actions of their executives. It is no longer enough to manufacture eco-friendly products; the leadership must also embody and advocate for the principles of sustainability in both their professional and personal lives.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Electric Cars Greenwashing Rossman Sustainability Tesla
