They projected the words “heil” and “boycott” alongside the large Tesla logo, as if to read “heil Tesla” or “boycott Tesla" on to the nine meter high building on Wednesday night

Left-wing activists have projected a giant image of Elon Musk doing a gesture that has been likened to a Nazi salute alongside the word “heil” onto Tesla’s Berlin factory.

Authorities in Germany are investigating a controversial image projected onto the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide, near Berlin.

Elon Musk's gesture on Monday night is still provoking a reaction, as activists and critics grapple with its alleged meaning.

Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has faced widespread accusations of making a Nazi gesture twice during a speech to a crowd of Trump supporters gathered at Washington's Capital One Arena for an indoor "Presidential Parade" on Monday, shortly after Trump's second inauguration.

“Elon Musk was criticised for his speech at a rally after the inauguration in which he appears to give the Nazi salute. But come on, Elon Musk is not a Nazi,” Che said of the man behind the much maligned Cybertruck. “The Nazis made nice cars,” quipped Che, referencing the origins of Volkswagen.

The "Sieg Heil" heard 'round the world has made its way to Germany, where activists are using that now-infamous image at Tesla's Gigafactory.

Elon Musk made a surprise appearance during Germany's AfD (Alternative fuer Deutschland) election campaign event in Halle in eastern Germany on Saturday, speaking publicly in support of the far right party for the second time in as many weeks.