Tesla sales have plunged in Germany over the past two months as its owner, Elon Musk, has become increasingly controversial

Musk's father, a well-known South African politician and businessman, has now responded to the attack while appearing on Arab news network, Al Arabiya, where he gave a rather unique response to the situation and said his son made the gesture to show 'he meant no harm'.

Musk has emerged as a fervent supporter of Alternative for Germany, a far-right, anti-immigrant party that is polling in second place ahead of Germany's parliamentary election.