Tesla’s electric vehicle sales have dropped for the fifth month in a row, with European sales falling 28% compared to last year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. The decline comes despite an overall increase in battery electric vehicle sales across the continent.
The poor showing is attributed to ongoing public backlash against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has faced criticism for his public support of far-right parties and anti-immigrant policies. This controversy has deterred potential buyers in Europe, which has led to a significant drop in Tesla’s market share.
In contrast, Chinese company SAIC Motor saw its European sales jump 38%, allowing it to overtake Tesla as the top-selling EV manufacturer in the region. The surge in sales for SAIC can be attributed to the company’s wider product range and marketing efforts.
Tesla’s struggles have come at a critical time, as the company prepares to launch a test run of its driverless ‘robotaxis’ service in Austin, Texas. Musk has ambitious plans to roll out the service nationwide by the end of the year, but reviews so far have been mixed, with some passengers reporting problems during their rides.
The European market for electric vehicles is expected to continue growing, driven by government regulations and increasing consumer demand. However, Tesla’s sales decline has raised concerns about the company’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and its reputation in the face of public controversy.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/tesla-europe-sales-musk-china-boycott-f1aa333f3ec4df2f34879fc17415c32f