APPLICATIONS / NEWS 12 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 258 - April / May 2025 Tesla dubbed “Swasticar” in out-of-home actionist campaign The actions of billionaire owner of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, have been likened to fascism in an outof-home (OOH) project from a UK activist group. During the inauguration celebrations of American president Donald Trump, Musk twice gave a one-armed salute akin to the ‘Sieg Heil’ salute of the Nazi Party. Supporters later claimed that the gesture was a ‘Roman salute’, with Musk saying on his self-owned social media platform, X: “The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." In response, an OOH poster mocking Musk and Tesla has appeared in Bethnal Green, East London, with the slogan: “Goes from 0 to 1939 in 3 seconds,” along with a picture of Musk saluting from the rally. In the same billboard, Musk’s Tesla vehicles are dubbed “The Swasticar,” with people encouraged to stop purchasing the luxury electric vehicle brand. The campaign is the work of a UK activist group called ‘Everyone Hates Elon’. A video the organisation posted of a man in high-vis clothing erecting the sign has garnered millions of likes and views. Everyone Hates Elon also installed a sign on a London underground train, with the photo of Musk saluting alongside a graph representing Tesla’s falling stock price. A caption reads: “Hate doesn’t sell. Just ask Tesla.” Between December 2024 and March 2025, the stock price of Tesla fell from a high of $479.86 (£379.39) to a low of $222.15 (£172.12), although this is still higher than the low of $142.05 (£110.08) reached in April of 2024. New DOOH network targets “luxury developments” ABODE Media, a newly-formed digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising network announced its UK launch in partnership with car manufacturer, FIAT. The network showcased a new limited-edition FIAT 500e ‘Armani’ car model across a range of London locations including Battersea, Soho, The Strand, Chelsea, and Canary Wharf. The campaign was designed to coincide with London Fashion Week, as a nod to the Armani fashion brand. ABODE has been created with a focus on targeting what it labels as premium residential developments. The company has already installed over 100 screens in residential areas where the average household income is over £121,000. By Jonathan Pert Astra Group secures six-figure signage contract Signage solutions provider, Astra Group, has secured a contract to deliver the signage for Arnold Clark’s network of ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs. The reported six-figure brief includes delivering signage for over 500 chargers at 100+ EV hubs across the UK, all part of the Arnold Clark Charge network. The contract is part of Arnold Clark’s wider plans to create a nationwide network of ultra-rapid EV charge points. The vehicle retailer, currently Europe's largest independent, family run car company with over 200 car dealerships in Scotland and England, has reportedly invested £23m to date into the scheme. Work to design, manufacture, and install of the signage is already underway, with the work having started in 2024. The target completion date is Spring/Summer of 2025. Among the products Astra Group has already produced to date are 102 dual-purpose canopies, designed to provide users with weather protection while also displaying information on how to activate the EV chargers. FASTSIGNS celebrate Birmingham sports star with new plaque A Birmingham signage company has helped Basketball England unveil a plaque for a local sports star in Hamstead. The plaque, which was unveiled at the newly refurbished basketball court at Hamstead Playing Fields, was created by FASTSIGNS Birmingham to celebrate the achievements of basketballer, Myles Hesson, a native of Hamstead. The 1m x 1m plaque created by FASTSIGNS features a commemorative message, designed to memorialise Hesson’s impact on the community. In order for it to withstand outdoor conditions and general wear and tear, the plaque was created using flat cut aluminium, overlaid with cut vinyl letters, and mounted to the fence using a stainless-steel channel. UK activist group, Everyone Hates Elon, is behind the OOH campaign By Jonathan Pert FASTSIGNS Birmingham’s services include custom signs, building signs, digital signage, vehicle signage, and car wraps ABODE Media plans to extend to 650 screens by the end of the year signlink signlinkmagazine As of 2024, less than 10% of the UK’s EV charging units are classed as ultra-rapid (150kW or higher)
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