Tesla’s sales in Germany plummeted by 76% in February, largely due to the controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk’s personal activities and comments. A new survey of over 100,000 German respondents found that a staggering 94% of citizens would never purchase a Tesla car, while only 3% considered it. This decline could be devastating for the brand’s prospects in Germany.
Industry analysts point to several factors contributing to this slump, including the Model Y changeover, falling Model 3 sales, and increased competition from rival EVs. However, local dissent over Musk’s interference in local elections and support of the far-right AfD party are also blamed.
Musk’s recent behavior, such as his Seig Heil salutes at Trump’s inauguration and promoting fascist views, have sparked outrage in Germany. This has severely impacted Tesla’s chances in Europe, particularly in Germany. The survey shows that only 20% of voters supported the AfD party, making it unlikely for Tesla to rely on them as future buyers.
The overwhelming response from German citizens appears to seal Tesla’s fate in the country. For the brand to recover or at least slow down the decline, Musk may need to distance himself from Tesla and hand over the CEO position. Additionally, he should tone down his political activities, which seem unlikely given his recent actions.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterlyon/2025/03/21/tesla-is-done-in-germany-as-94-of-those-polled-say-no-to-musk