Tesla, the electric carmaker led by Elon Musk, has lost its top spot in Europe for the first time due to increased competition from Chinese company BYD. The shift marks a significant change in the European market, where Tesla previously dominated the battery electric vehicle sector.
According to data from Jato Dynamics, BYD sold 7,231 fully electric cars in April, while Tesla sold just 1,165 units. This marked a major milestone for BYD, which only began selling cars in Norway and the Netherlands last year.
Musk’s recent support for Donald Trump has contributed to the backlash against Tesla, with many consumers boycotting the brand due to its owner’s far-right policies. The impact is evident in Europe, where Tesla sales have plummeted by over 70% in Germany, a country known for its liberal consumer base.
Despite the decline, Musk remains confident that Tesla will continue to attract customers. He pointed to the company’s rising stock prices as evidence of strong demand and brushed off concerns about his political activism, stating that investors were ignoring his views due to the company’s success.
However, the data suggests a different story is unfolding, with Tesla facing increased competition in the European market and struggling to regain its former dominance.
Source: https://newrepublic.com/post/195614/tesla-loses-status-marker-elon-musk-backlash